BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry will be retiring from office at the end of his term.
During a press conference Friday, Gentry announced that he would be retiring at the end of his term in January 2027. During his announcement, Gentry talked about how many politicians--specifically in Washington-- talk about term limits, but remain in office for years and don't do anything to change it.
"I really believe that it takes leaders to do more of self-accountability, self term limits, because it's easy to get up and say 'I believe in term limits,' but you've been somewhere 30 years," Gentry said. "What is hard to say 'You know what? I'm going to do my job and, you know what, I'm going to do something else'."
Gentry, who has been in law enforcement since 1999 and was first elected to office in 2015, said he wanted an opportunity to leave office on his own terms.
During his time in office, Gentry said he was proud of being able to set better financial incentives for his deputies, as well as more community outreach.
"One of the strongest things you can have in any community is law enforcement and community standing shoulder to shoulder," he said. "And if you do that, you will be successful, but you have to take care of each other."
Gentry's term will end in January 2027.