The Singing Sheriff

Mac Holcomb admits he grew up singing in the shower. But in the seven years since he became sheriff of Marshall County, Ala., his audience has grown a bit wider—if not necessarily dry-eyed.

He remembers a recent holiday performance when he noticed an elderly woman crying during his rendition of I’ll Be Home for Christmas. After the song, she rolled up in her wheelchair and apologized for the weepiness, saying, “I just want to be home so bad.”

Such emotional reactions assure Holcomb that his outreach is worthwhile.

“I have an opportunity, and really I think it’s my obligation, to do what’s called ‘community policing,’” says Holcomb, a Marshall County native and Albertville (pop. 17,247) resident. “Traditionally, sheriffs go to coffee shops and sit around and talk with people. I prefer to sing for local groups. That’s just my way of doing it.”

Seems no one minds the discrepancy. Though he gets several invitations weekly, he is able to schedule appearances about once a quarter at nearly 40 senior citizen centers and nursing homes in the county.

After about an hour of singing a variety of country, gospel, and rock ’n’ roll standards—accompanied by a karaoke machine given to him by staff members—Holcomb answers any questions audience members have about the sheriff’s department.

“A lot of them don’t have transportation to get to the sheriff’s office,” explains Carolyn Scott, manager of the Albertville Senior Center. “They could call him on the phone, but he’s a busy person and lots of time they can’t get to him. So when he comes up here, they really bombard him with questions.”

Holcomb also appears at local festivals and other events.

“People view the sheriff a little differently than they do other elected officials,” Holcomb says. “For instance, the district attorney, the circuit clerk, the judges, all have jobs to do and folks don’t really expect these folks to be at events. But they do expect the sheriff to be there. When you’re not, they’re disappointed.”

Holcomb, who recently earned a national award as 2001 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, credits a capable staff with making it possible for him to be so involved in community activities.

“I promised the people of Marshall County that I would surround myself with good people,” he says. “So if I have to be away for a short time, I don’t worry about it ’cause I’ve got probably the best staff.”

The sheriff’s performances are usually solo efforts, but recently he worked with local youths to host a Senior Prom Day, during which he sang while the teens danced with the elders.

“It was really inspiring to see our young people turn out to help our senior citizens,” says Holcomb, who has worked in local law enforcement for a total of more than 20 years since the 1960s.

“Our seniors love it,” Scott says of the sheriff’s appearances. “It doesn’t have to be a holiday, they just love to hear him sing any day.”

Wherever he goes, Holcomb enjoys capacity crowds, from 30 to 500 people. His biggest fans seem to enjoy his personality as much as his talent.

“He is just the nicest, friendliest person I think I’ve ever met,” says Claudine Wright, a resident of Branchwater Assisted Living. “He goes around and talks to all of us. He’s the only (public official) I know that will take the time out to do that. Plus he has a wonderful voice.”

Holcomb is too humble to believe all the compliments, but he takes them to heart.

“I’m very flattered by it,” he says. “I tell folks that maybe I should confine my singing to the shower, but I enjoy singing and apparently they like it ’cause they have me back.”

Kara Carden is a regular American Profile contributor.

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