The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17
HARTSF HELD ENDS SCORE IF YEARS IN LAW ENF FORCEMENT
Sheriff to Take Rest After January Retirement = Ex- periences in Office Color.
 fuI Past Two Decades

After serving 20 years continuous ly as an officer of the law, Sheriff Chris Hartsfield declared Saturday that he intended taking a short rest when his term of office expires ir January, and that he hopes to en- gage in some line of endeavor ir which he will not be forced to come in daily contact with pistol or g pair of handcuffs.
 The sheriff stated that he had not definitely decided upon his future program, other than taking his be- lated rest, although he will remain in Birmingham and Jefferson county When questioned regarding his flu ture political life, Sheriff Harts- field made no comment other than that the "mignt be through with the game"
 Sheriff Hartsrield has an unusual record to his credit. having attained the heights of one of the highest offices in Jefferson county from the unpretentious though honorable voca- ton of coal digging.
 Sheriff Hartsfield first began his career as an officer by guarding prisoners on the streets of Pratt City, prior to the time that city was incorporated with Birming- ham. Within a few months time he was promoted to the position of night patrolman and was soon after wards appointed chief of police of Pratt City.
 Soon thereafter. Sheriff Hartsfield accepted a position as detective with "a irr1 ir,tr h q m dataFfiNa denaFt t- ment. under the administration of George Bodeker. who was then chief of police. After serving a year as city detective, he accepted tho of fer of Sheriff w K. McAdory and became a member of the county forces, where he remained for two administrations as deputy. He was nominated to the office of sheriff of Jefferson county In the democratic primary of 1919 by substantial ma jority, attaining the office based on his record as an officer.
 Handle. Big Cases
 During the years Sheriff Hartsfield has served as a county officer he has taken an active part in some of the most sensational cases evel brought before jury in Jefferson county, together with his lifelong friend and co-worker. the presni Chief of Police Fred H. McDuff. Among the most remarkable achievements of Sheriff Hartsfielc and Chief McDuff was the wholesale cleaning of the "Lewisburg beat Sheriff Hartsfield and his partner de- serve credit for bringing to justice three white men who were convicted of complicity in many murder cases transpirng In the Lewisburg vicinity and for which they were all hung. The arrests of Sam Macena and Toney Malone, charged with the mur- der of a man near Lewisburg, was a second instance of rapid and success full work of the two officers. Both men escaped jail, however. Malone being killed some months later and Macena making good his escape. Since Sheriff Hartsfield went into cffice. crime in Jefferson county has been held in check despite the rapic influx of people, due to the efficient corps of officers he has retained throughout his administration. Assistant Solicitor John Mccoy who has co-operated with Sheriff Hartsfield in prosecuting several oi the larger cases. summed up hi' opinion of the county head as being "a real man and every inch an of f,cer and a gentleman. Sheriff Harts- field possesses all of the traits neces- sary for the model officer--fairness sensibility and fearlessness." Similar opinions were given of the sheriff by practically every county official in the court house, all oi whom deeply regret that his term oi office will so soon expire.