Melvin Lee Turner is retiring from the Perry County Sheriff’s Department after 35 years of service in law enforcement and public safety.
Turner served the department in a variety of roles over his career, including Chief Jailer, Lieutenant at the Perry County Correctional Detention Center, and most recently as Chief of Courthouse Security. He also contributed to safety and leadership at Turner Elementary.
Outside his official duties, Turner provided security at Francis High School football games and Hatch High School basketball and football games for years, a visible presence at school events across the county.
His family described him as “a mentor, protector, and man of principle” whose impact extended well beyond the courthouse. “His service extended far beyond courthouse walls, positively impacting coworkers, families, and generations of Perry County residents who felt safer because of his presence and dedication,” the family said in a statement.
Turner’s children offered their own send-off: “Enjoy retirement, Dad. May your days now be filled with family time, fishing (or napping), no radios buzzing, and the freedom to say, ‘That’s not my post anymore.’ You’ve more than earned it.”
He is survived in his career by a legacy of steady, dependable service to Perry County.
Turner and his wife have a daughter, sons, and grandchildren.
