By: Oniska Blevins

Sgt. Jeffery Hardy has a true servant’s heart. The father of two and devoted husband of more than 22 years is a pastor and singer in the gospel quartet group, “Revelation of Selma.”

In addition to his dedication to family and God, he has been dedicated to law enforcement for the past 23 years.

He knew many years ago, that he wanted to be a police officer.

“As a young kid in middle school I wanted to be a law enforcement officer, and after I graduated high school I pursued my dreams,” he said.

He had an early start, and has not turned back since.

“When I turned 21, I went to the Hayneville Police Department,” he said. “They gave me my first start as a police officer.”

He soon transitioned until he found his current position.

“I stayed in Hayneville for about a year, left there and then went to Marion for about 10 years, left Marion and I have been in Selma every since.”

Hardy has now been a part of the Selma Police Department for the last 13 years. During those years, he has worked in many aspects of the field. He started as a patrolman, where he worked for more than a year, then went on to be a criminal investigator, commander of the narcotics devision and a task force member with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

He was recently transferred to the homicide devision of the department, and said his past experiences laid some groundwork for the new position.

“Working homicide, you have work two ways,” Hardy said. “You have to be sorrowful for the victim, and then get out and then get out and hunt the suspects.”

The change has been a positive one.

“Since I was transferred to homicide all of the homicide cases have been solved and everyone has been put in jail,” Hardy said. “He put that task on me and that’s what I do.”

Hardy said seeing a murdered young person is the hardest part of his job, but having to notify the family of the death is even more difficult. However, even with the difficulty of his job, he is still happy to see his efforts of protecting the citizens of Selma have not gone unnoticed.

“A lot of people have told me they appreciate what I’ve done. The chief of police, and the previous chief, have told me they appreciate what I’ve done,” Hardy said. “It’s rewarding to me to know that in law enforcement I’m not just carrying a badge, I’m helping people.”