Sheppard takes reins as Addison police chief

ADDISON - Luke Sheppard, Addison’s new chief of police, brings nearly 18 years of law enforcement experience and a commitment to helping others to the position.
Originally from the Crane Hill area, he began his career as a reserve officer with Cullman Police Department in the fall of 2005.
While working for that department, he attended the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Academy and graduated in 2009. He then accepted a full-time position at Kimberly Police Department in Jefferson County.  During his nearly nine years at KPD, he also worked for the Warrior Police Department.
He attained the position of patrol sergeant at KPD before he returned home and joined the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Matt Gentry. After four years, he joined the Winston County Sheriff’s Office. A year later, he had the opportunity to join the Addison Police Force, of which he’s been a part for the last four years.
“Luke started off as a police officer for us and then was promoted to sergeant and has done a good job,” said Addison Mayor Marsha Pigg.
He became the new police chief on Aug. 16 after former Police Chief Brett Rodgers resigned to become the fire marshal for Winston and Walker counties.
Asked what drew him to law enforcement, Sheppard said, “When 9/11 had happened, I felt like I needed to do something to give back to everyone. I originally started out wanting to be a full-time fireman.”
He was pursuing that goal when a friend at Cullman County Sheriff’s Office took him on a ride-along.
“Everything was history from that point,” Sheppard said. “Twenty minutes into the ride-along, we were in a high speed chase through the center of Cullman, and I knew right then that that was my calling: just being able to help and give back to a community, serving people on a level that, you know, when no one else is listening, no one else will hear, you can be that ear and you can be that eye and you can help people, you know, during a time when no one else will help. I like that. I like helping people.”
Sheppard, who is 44, has been married for 12 years and has two sons, two daughters and one grandson.
He has been a volunteer firefighter since late 2001 or early 2002, he said. He’s previously served in the Crane Hill, Gold Ridge (in Cullman), Logan and Kimberly fire departments and has now been a  member of the Addison Volunteer Fire Department for about four years.
“His home is here,” Pigg said. “Luke knows and loves this community. He fits right in with our town. I have no doubt he will do a great job for us.”