After the retirement announcement from Sheriff "Hoss" Mack, Commissioner Matt McKenzie has come forward stating he has a desire to immediately take the interim role of Sheriff for Baldwin County.

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Matt McKenzie, currently serving Baldwin County as County Commissioner, District 2, released a statement today regarding his intentions to apply for the appointment of Interim Sheriff of Baldwin County:

“I have served my country as a United States Marine, I have served the citizens of Baldwin as both a law enforcement officer and as your county commissioner. I will bring years of experience to the position of Sheriff of Baldwin County, I had heard months ago that Sheriff Mack may have a great job opportunity offered to him for his next chapter in life,” McKenzie wrote.

With over 25 years of law enforcement experience, Commissioner McKenzie is retired from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). He served as post commander of the Driver License Office in Mobile, where he oversaw offices in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Clarke, Choctaw, Monroe, Butler and Conecuh Counties.

“I want to bring a fresh start to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. I want to bring excitement and energy to the younger guys just starting out in the law enforcement journey. I want to provide additional career enhancement avenues for our veteran officers. I am excited to get to work with all the employees within the office of the sheriff, and I look forward to this application process of Governor Ivey’s. I hope Governor Ivey will feel confident in my 25 years of service in law enforcement, my service in the United States Military, my experience that I bring as a Baldwin County elected official and supports my vision to lead Baldwin County in the interim until the next Sheriff election in 2026.”

As for his apparent quick response to Mack's retirement, McKenzie stated "I had heard months ago that Sheriff Mack may have a great job opportunity offered to him for his next chapter in life," he said. "Since then, I have quietly been building a Senior Law Enforcement Leadership Transition Team from former and current Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputies that have held high levels of leadership roles within the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, as well as Senior Leadership from former heads of other local law enforcement agencies."

McKenzie added "I believe with the leadership we currently have in place at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and those I intend to bring in with my transition team that the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office will not miss a beat in daily law enforcement services."