Sheriff John Samaniego currently serves the citizens as the 53rd elected Sheriff of Shelby County.

Beginning his law enforcement service more than 40 years ago, after graduating from the University of Alabama, John worked for the Tuscaloosa Police Department where he dedicated more than 20 years to Narcotics Investigations. 

In 1991, John served as the Commander of the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force until 2001 when he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police of the Tuscaloosa Police Department.  During his career at the Tuscaloosa Police Department, John earned his law degree from the Birmingham School of Law.

John Samaniego has chartered, served, and currently serves on many boards and committees to include:

• President of the Alabama Chapter of the FBI National Academy (2005-2007)
• Tuscaloosa County Drug Court (1999-2003)
• Commissioner of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (1997-2007)
• Executive Planning Committee for Alabama Schools for Alcohol and other drug studies (1995-2003)
• Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education (1991 - 2001)
• President of Partnership for a Drug Free Tuscaloosa County (1996-1998)
• Appointed member of the Governor’s Commission on School Violence (1993-1994)
• Owens House of Shelby County
• Shelby County Community Corrections
• Charter member of the Alabama Narcotics Officers Association (1983-present)
• Past State President of the Alabama Fraternal Order of Police and current Officer within the Shelby County Fraternal Order of Police. 

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John Samaniego is also a graduate of:

• The 176^th Session of the FBI National Academy
• The University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy
• Leadership Shelby County
• U.S. Secret Service Executive Protection training program
• CEO training program for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
• DEA - Drug Unit Commander Academy
• CSAP National Resource Training

John Samaniego is the 53rd Sheriff elected in Shelby County, Alabama, since 1818.

Born in Huntsville, he is a lifelong resident of Alabama. A graduate of the University of Alabama and the Birmingham School of Law, he has served in law enforcement for more than four decades.

He began his law enforcement career with the Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Office in 1976 where he worked two years as a juvenile investigator. He then had a career at the Tuscaloosa Police Department where, over the course of 25 years, he rose from a patrol officer to become the assistant chief of police.  During that time he commanded one of the largest and most successful Narcotics Task Forces in the state of Alabama.

He has lived in Shelby County for more than 20 years.  Prior to being elected Sheriff, he served as the Chief Deputy of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for over a decade where he was responsible for all aspects of its operation, including the jail. He and his wife Shirley and  daughter Sophia currently live in North Shelby County.