The LEOs Who Have Left Sheffield

 

Gemini

A reader with inside info has some interesting takes on the Sheffield Police Department and Mayor Steve Stanley:

The mayor choose to pave Pickwick which did not need it but He choose to stop at Edgewood Drive  WHY  because he lives on Edgewood and wants his drive to work smooth.

If you keep going down Pickwick past Edgewood you come to the worse part of Pickwick but he doesn't care because he doesn't drive that way to work.

Police Department.

Officers that have left in the past 6 months:

4 officers to Florence PD

1 to Lauderdale Co.

2 to Town Creek

1 to Moulton

1 to Cherokee.

1 to pardons & parole 

Maybe the new mayor "Penny Freeman" will get the police department back in top shape where it used to be.

A Resident on the State of Sheffield

 

Some interesting and vetted information from a Sheffield citizen:

Since Christopher Tate has assumed the role as Chief of Police at Sheffield Police Department. Not only have there been a significant loss in the number of manpower but as well as the amount of patrols being done. As it sits now there are from top to bottom, there are only 11 employees at Sheffield Police Department. There are only 2 officers on patrol at all times in the City of Sheffield. At this point, being a concerned citizen of the shoals area, I believe that Colbert County Sheriff’s Department should absorb the City of Sheffield. 

Furthermore, Sheffield Police Department on May 26th, 2025 (Memorial Day). Sheffield Police Department held a Memorial Day/ Community Cookout at Riverfront Park. I have it on very good accounts and were able to confirm on multiple sources that Chief Christopher Tate as well as other officers consumed alcohol at this event. So much so that it was to the extent that Chief Christopher Tate was unable to drive his vehicle home and had to have a fellow employee drive him home. It is important to know that it was advertised on Sheffield Police Department’s Facebook page on May 20th, 2025. Sheffield Police Department gave thanks to multiple companies and individual people for donating food and money to the event that resulted in Chief Christopher Tate and other officers getting drunk. The Facebook post from Sheffield Police Department mentions thanking Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart (Florence), Wal-Mart (Muscle Shoals), Foodland (Sheffield), Dollar General (Sheffield), and Pastor Stephen Gill for their donations. It is to the best of my knowledge that Pastor Stephen Gill is a current Civil Service Member over Sheffield Police Department. Not only do I believe this to be absurd and an extreme breach of trust and professionalism. It also showcases the current state that the Sheffield Police Department is in. They have posted all the time about recruiting “Looking for community minded people willing to serve and protect the City on the Bluff”. If hosting a Memorial Day/ Community Cookout and having the Chief of Police get drunk is their idea of serving and protecting their community, no wonder there are so many lawsuits against the police department. I was also made aware that a homeless member of the shoals, he as well requested to remain anonymous. He protested that he was arrested by Sheffield Police Department and charged for trespassing and possessing a bottle of liquor at Avalon Park. He stated that he was simply sleeping at the park because it was raining and he was homeless and didn’t want to sleep in the rain. He further disclosed that when he asked the officer what his charges were, he was told criminal trespassing and violation of Sheffield City Ordinance 3.7.. He further stated that he was never given any paperwork stating that he was trespassed from a public park. He further stated that when he asked what city ordinance 3.7 was he was told that it is an ordinance that prohibits the consumption, possession, sale, trade or purchase of alcohol at any public park in the City of Sheffield. I then asked the homeless citizen about what time he was arrested. He stated that it was around Memorial Day, but could not give an exact date.  After being told this, I confirmed that Riverfront Park is a public park within the City of Sheffield. If one of our community members is going to be charged from the violation of that city ordinance. Shouldn’t the Chief of Police be charged as well? I mean they are supposed to be held to a higher standard, aren’t they? Why should Sheffield Police officers and their Chief of Police be able to get away with breaking the laws that they are sworn to protect but everyone else has to pay the cost and pay their fines to go to the City of Sheffield. Say what you want about Former Chief Ricky Terry but I never heard of him breaking laws. 

I have also learned that Chief Christopher Tate not only is being picky about hiring officers to replace the ones that have left or got charges/lawsuits filed against them but he also hires his friends and promotes them quickly. I have seen this officer come back to Sheffield Police Department and then shortly after be promoted to Lieutenant. That officer being Regina Cantrell. I was told by citizens of Sheffield that Regina Cantrell left Sheffield Police Department as a Lieutenant shortly after Former Chief Ricky Terry took office. I also have it on good sources that Regina Cantrell after she departed from Sheffield Police Department went to work for a neighboring county as a School Resource Officer and stayed in this role for over 4 years. I was also told that Regina Cantrell and Chief Christopher Tate and his wife Dionna Tate stayed in close contact and even attended get togethers at Chief Christopher Tate’s home in Sheffield. Once Christopher Tate took on the role as Chief of Police, Regina Cantrell came back to Sheffield Police Department after a 5 year hiatus from working as a patrol officer. She was then promoted back to Lieutenant within 60 days after coming back. So my takeaway from this is that if you are good friends with Christopher Tate then you will move up quickly in the ranks. Here I thought Former Chief Ricky Terry was bad but good grief Chief Christopher Tate is making a strong case.

I have also learned that the Mayor of Sheffield (Steve Stanley) was made aware of the events at Riverfront Park and Regina Cantrell. I was told that a meeting was held with Sheffield’s Civil Service Board about Riverfront Park and Regina Cantrell. It is apparent that they are more concerned about repaving Hatch Boulevard than what’s going on under their own roof. I can name a dozen more roads in Sheffield that need to be repaved before Hatch Boulevard. Maybe Mayor Stanley is thinking if he repaves a main road in Sheffield that it will win him votes in the election and will outshine his failing choice in Police Chiefs and his failed community.

Dear Sheffield Candidates...

Unless you have a plan to solve this mess, you can forget getting elected. All of these photos were taken today (7/24) ALL OVER Sheffield:

Uniquely Qualified? Steve Stanley?

 

J. Redmon sent the above photo and apologizes for the blurriness. The second line says:

Uniquely Qualified

J. says: I'm having a difficult time figuring out what Mayor Stanley's 'unique qualifications' are.  All I'm coming up with is basically 'bankrupting' the city.

We're still laughing...

Sheffield Lets Cemetery Go to Seed

 

City services in Sheffield? Does the town even have services at this point? Our Sheffield Shelly has been out and about to compare historic Oakwood Cemetery with Inspiration Landing. The results gobsmacked us.

Above is one view of Oakwood; we have approximately 10 more which look as bad, if not worse. If your family is buried there, you should check their plots and file a complaint if necessary.

How about Inspiration Landing? Let's take a look:

Doesn't it look well-manicured as it awaits its next big concert? Just think, it doesn't even belong to the City, but to a Memphis developer who fleeced everyone in Sheffield.

Do you want Steve Stanley to be your next mayor? No...we didn't think so.

"Never Seen a Community of People Treated So Badly"

 

From a reader:

I believe the only way to see change in Sheffield is to get rid of the old guard and bring someone in that can work with all people- young, older, rich, poor and all ethnicities. I’ve seen Penny (Freeman) do just that year after year. 

Since the current mayor and board got rid of the meal barrel I’ve watched Penny use her own money and spend hours after working a full time job just trying her best to continue providing food for thousands. What people don’t realize is it’s not homeless people getting this food- it’s elderly, it’s grandparents raising their grandchildren, it’s college kids on their own, it’s veterans! 

When I went to the board meeting for them to vote on terminating the lease I was blown away at the complete disregard of the Sheffield community in attendance there. The current mayor was so condescending! The board members themselves were rude and even chastised one of the audience members for showing up instead of coming to her office to speak with her personally! 

I’ve lived in 5 states and never seen a community of people treated so badly. When I asked why it was so easily tolerated I was told that they’re so used to it. That’s a tragedy. Sheffield could be a beautiful city if it had a mayor that wanted success for all of the people not just the ones that look/act/think like him. 

Meanwhile, Garbage Grows in Sheffganistan

 

Sheffield says an extra $6.00 a month won't severely impact its citizens. Whether you agree or not, here are the new rates after June 14th:

• Residential: $22.00 per month
• Residential Additional Cart: $12.00 per month
• Commercial: $49.00 per month
• Commercial Additional Cart: $15.00 per month
• Church: $35.00 per month

It's not been that long since Mayor Steve Stanley commented that even with extra help, the City can't keep up with its trash problem. Is most of that at city hall?

Riding around Sheffield

 

In riding around Sheffield, I'm starting to see 'Re-Elect and Elect' signs for Sheffield City Council going up.

I've lived, worked, and voted here for the past 19 years. 2 of my girls graduated from Sheffield High School. My wife retired from SCS. I have NEVER HEARD of these people.

What do they do? For the ones seeking re-election, what have they done for Sheffield and its citizens? And most importantly, what do they plan to do?

So, answer me this: WHY should I vote for YOU?

As always,

Clean Up Sheffield!

 

We understand that a town the size of Sheffield, with its financial problems, can't build a new civic center or water park. What it can do is clean up its streets.

Today we're publishing four photos taken on Third Street. Does this town look like it's managed efficiently? 

Make sure you ask the mayoral candidates how they plan to handle this problem. If you live in Sheffield, the current administration is slapping you in the face every day.

Sheffield Says It's the Rental Company's Fault

 

Want to report the misuse of trash bins in Sheffield? According to the City, you need to contact the rental agent that handles the property. Hmmm, it's not like the City could issue a citation or anything, right?

*****

Is Debra (The Big) Dombrowski finally leaving the Tree Commission in Florence? Stay tuned...

Does Sheffield Even Care?

 

It's getting harder and harder to find positive things to say about Sheffield. And I live here.

I was born and raised in Alabama. Sheffield has been my home for almost 20 years. Until the past 3 or 4 years I absolutely loved where my wife and I had chosen to live. Our children graduated from Sheffield High School. But lately it's gotten to where I'm embarrassed to let people know where I live. I usually say that I live in The Shoals. I'm not actually lying...but I'm not happy. I want to be proud of MY HOME.

Things have gotten to where I question whether or not the mayor and city council actually care about Sheffield. Mind you; this feeling has been growing for several years before the current bunch took over, but ithe feeling SEEMS to have accelerated in recent years.

Do the mayor and city council care that they were willing partners in the biggest swindle in Sheffield's history? Do they feel remotely responsible for the non-existent Inspiration Landing?

Do the mayor and city council care that we have the absolute worst streets in North Alabama? Some of the potholes are deep enough to include the actual dirt road bed as their bottom. Why was the repaving project postponed?

Do the mayor and city council care that there is total and absolute failure of any sort of municipal code enforcement taking place? Is the Code Enforcement officer AFRAID to do his job, or has he been told NOT to?

Do the mayor and city council care that their police department can't hire or retain good officers? Are they content with the current crime rate, which currently rivals much larger municipalities? My apologies to the very few officers that I know personally and would go through a door with any time. God bless you.

I openly challenge the mayor and city council to address any/all of these questions in this blog. I know Shoalanda will gladly publish your responses. 

As always,

NACOLG Does Sheffield

 

After redoing City of Florence voting districts, NACOLG has taken its shears to Sheffield. The interesting thing to us was District 5, where the city gurus moved only four voters. We have to ask if that disruption was really necessary.

If you're wondering if you fall into those picked up and plucked down in a new district, the new maps are on public display. You can see them during business hours at Sheffield City Hall.

*****

Addenda/Correction: We stated yesterday that Florence controlled floors 2,4, & 6 of the Florence-Lauderdale Building. In October 2020, Florence sold their share of the office building in anticipation of the new Municipal complex.

As of now, Florence occupies only floors 2 and 4, with the Lauderdale County Commission offices ensconced on the 6th floor. We're still not sure who's on first.

Andy's Confused

And Now a Word about Sheffield...

Our blogger J. Redmon says the above scene of strewn garbage is a common sight on one of his regular Sheffield routes. He's complained to the City, but to no avail.

Moving on to another pressing issue, what do you call a person from Sheffield? Our AI consultant say the answer is Sheffielder. That's not all our AI expert mentioned. It spat out the label of Sheffvegas and Sheffganistan as town nicknames. Wow, it's on the ball.

Last, and we certainly don't have to say not least, is a new political candidate on the City's horizon. Kelsey Brook Quesenberry Williams is running for the District 3 seat in the city council. Here's a little about Kelsey in her own words:

Most of everyone already knows me, but for those of you who don’t—as stated I am a mother and a wife. I have 2 beautiful daughters and I was also blessed with a beautiful step-daughter. I served as a police officer for the City of Sheffield for nearly 3 years. I am also a Sergeant in the Alabama Army National Guard. I have had the privilege of serving in the Alabama Army National Guard for 11 years. During my career in the military I have served in two tours overseas. I have a passion for serving and being the voice for those that are not always heard.

These Trains "Have an Agenda"

 

At approximately 2:30 this afternoon, Sheffield was besieged by three trains (the first one stopped), blocking all three crossings in the City on the Bluff...or is that the Center of the Shoals?

Whatever you want to call the home of the elusive Inspiration Landing, citizens weren't happy. Where is the new overpass?

Where is Steve Stanley when there is a problem?

Where Are Mayor Stanley's Priorities?

 

It wasn't all that long ago that Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley personally visited a Montgomery Avenue retail store to have it out over an expired fire extinguisher. Really?

Does the good mayor not see the wrecked and abandoned vehicles that dot almost every street in his not so fair town? Our J. Redmon has told us he's spotted at least 11 such vehicles on the streets near his home within a five block radius. Just what does that do to property values?

Sheffield currently has laws on the books concerning derelict vehicles; why aren't they being enforced? Perhaps Stanley is merely hoping to wait it out in the shadows until next August?

*****

While we don't see Steve Stanley running again, we otherwise have two candidates who are: Bennett Pugh and Brian Vandevender. Will there be anyone else? There's slightly over two months until qualifying begins.

Still ANOTHER Lawsuit against City of Sheffield (Police)

 

The Keystone Cops are at it again. If this was not so horrible, it would indeed be laughable. 

On December 30, 2024, KAM was alone at her residence on Oakhill Avenue in Sheffield. At around 6:30 p.m., four City police officers, without knocking, broke down her front door. Upon entering, two of the officers pointed guns at KAM.

After holding KAM at gunpoint while they searched her home, the police finally looked at her identification and determined they were at the wrong house. Bummer.

These officers never produced any warrant to enter or search her or anyone's home. Needless to say, KAM was slightly ticked at the whole situation. Now she's suing the City for:

1. Fourth Amendment Violation

2. Trespass with Insult

3. False Imprisonment

KAM and her attorney Bennett Pugh are asking for a jury trial. We're not sure that Sheffield has enough citizens to compose all the juries that are needed in the next few months. 

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

Can the City of Sheffield even wait until next Fall for its new mayor? We don't envy Bennett Pugh the job of cleaning up this swamp.

"Don't shoot me. I'm insolent"

Are Sheffield's Actions Legal?

 

Sheffield mayor Steve Stanley, who recently broached the subject of a raise for himself and the city council, is now asking for an increase of monthly garbage collection fees. Such a raise may be needed; however, several residents have been quick to point out something in current fees which may be illegal.

Each month, Sheffield Utilities adds an extra $1.75 onto its bills as a recycling fee. Why are residents balking? There's currently no household recycling in place.

When one resident complained, she was told the added fee was to finance the blue wheelie bins that are ubiquitous in most towns. How much do these bins cost? Lowe's sells a Toter brand bin for $70.00, meaning it would take 40 months for each customer to "pay" for this luxury.

We have to ask why Sheffield can't afford to purchase bins for each utility customer? Could it have anything to do with Inspiration Landing? What happens when a customer finally earns a bin, then moves to Muscle Shoals? Can the resident take his bin with him? Or does the new tenant receive the benefit without paying?

Today is Galentine's Day. So if you're a gal, we wish you love, fun, and laughter. That goes double for all our friends in the Florence Animal Army!

Derelict Vehicles, Potholes, & IFDC

 

The following derelict or abandoned vehicles are all part of a growing trend in Sheffield. Sheffield has had ordinances against such on the books for years. It is anyone's guess as to why the mayor refuses to allow them to be enforced. The only things that outnumber derelict vehicles in Sheffield are the potholes.

*****

Several years ago I had the opportunity to tour the IFDC facility on the TVA reservation. The 'impression' that I came away with was not what I expected. Every 'lab' that I saw was in disarray. I've seen better equipped facilities in high schools and junior colleges. Storage facilities were empty. The greenhouses were basically 'dead'.

The IFDC's 'goal' is to 'develop viable agricultural solutions for struggling nations in an attempt to increase their food production'. Noble. Now their USAID funding is under DOGE scrutiny.

If their goal is to help struggling nations feed their people, why do its representatives have 'diplomatic immunity'?