News Release – January 12, 2026
This morning, January 12, 2026, I walked into the DeKalb County Courthouse and officially qualified to run for re-election as your Sheriff.
I did not walk in alone this morning, for my family was with me and so were a host of deputies, staff, and friends who believe in this office and the work that we have accomplished together. That really meant something to me.
Nearly eight years ago, I asked for your trust. I didn’t promise perfection, I promised effort, honesty, and results. Today, I am asking you to continue to let me keep doing that job.
I am in my second term as Sheriff and I am running for a third term. I bring over 25 years in law enforcement, but more than that, I bring a deep commitment to DeKalb County. When I first ran I wasn’t chasing a title, I believed this Sheriff’s Office could be stronger, tougher on crime, and better for the people it serves.
We have proved that.
Over the last eight years we have built a Sheriff’s Office that works. We have created and expanded our Major Crimes. We have built an Aviation Unit. We have strengthened ICAC (internet crimes against children) to protect our children from monsters, not only here but across the entire country. We have developed the Shining Star program for special needs citizens. We have expanded access to the public gun range and we have stood firm for the Second Amendment. We have added more deputies, more drug task force agents, and more investigators than ever before in this county.
We have increased patrol visibility. We have ran saturation and interdiction operations. We have given our deputies better training, better equipment, and better backing, and because of that work DeKalb County has seen record drug arrests, record child crime arrests, high case closure rates, and one of the strongest solve rates among Sheriff’s Offices in Alabama.
That didn’t happen by accident, it happened because we showed up, we held the line, and we did the work.
But I’ll be clear. We are not done.
There’s more to build.
More to fix.
And more to protect.
Being Sheriff isn’t about managing crime. It’s about fighting it. It’s about standing up for victims, protecting our kids, backing our deputies, and doing what’s right even when it’s unpopular. Not everyone is going to agree with every decision I make and I’m okay with that. I answer to the people of this county, my conscience, and God.
I am a graduate of Sylvania High School. My wife Audra and I are raising our four kids on our family farm in Sylvania and this county is home and I don’t take that lightly.
I am running again because I still believe in this county and in this badge. My commitment hasn’t changed. I will lead with integrity, I will be transparent, and most importantly I will put God first. I will keep this office focused on results and not on politics.
I would greatly appreciate your prayers, your support, and your vote.
We have come too far to turn back.
Nick Welden
Sheriff, DeKalb County
