Billy Sharp appointed Tuscaloosa County Sheriff - WVTM-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Birmingham, AL

Billy Sharp has been appointed the new Tuscaloosa County Sheriff.

Sharp has served in law enforcement positions for well over 30 years.  He retired from the Alabama Criminal Justice Center in February of 2012 and then joined the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit to help solve cold cases.  Sharp will serve as the county's sheriff while the Governor's Office takes the time needed to continue conducting thorough interviews for the position.

Sharp's appointment by Governor Robert Bentley comes after acting Sheriff Ted Sexton took a job at Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. 

 The governor said, "Billy Sharp has a tremendous amount of experience in the field of law enforcement." He continued, "Because of that, he has the respect of his colleagues, from cadets to veteran officers.  Having been an investigator, field agent and eventually a volunteer instructor, Sharp's background in law enforcement will be a great asset to the people of Tuscaloosa County."

Sharp retired from the Alabama Criminal Justice Center, where he worked as an investigator, a chief investigator and field agent over a span of 28 years.  He was a volunteer instructor with the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission for 33 years.  Sharp oversaw the FBI's National Crime Information Center system and state databases while at the Criminal Justice Center.

Sharp's new position is effective immediately.