Sojourner #064: More Than A Badge: One Sheriff's Testimony
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV)
More Than A Badge: One Sheriff’s Testimony
The weight of a badge is more than the metal it’s forged from. In Etowah County, Alabama, Sheriff Jonathon Horton carries that weight with a deeper burden still, one shaped by the cross of Christ. As a law enforcement officer with a front-row seat to brokenness, rebellion, and sometimes outright evil, Sheriff Horton has found that the gospel doesn't sideline justice, it transforms the heart of it.
We spoke with Sheriff Horton recently about what it means to treat every person as an image-bearer, how grace affects his decisions in moments of tension, and how he bears the cost of leadership without losing heart. What follows is a conversation about justice, mercy, and the relentless hope of Christ, even in the midst of great darkness.
Question: How does the Gospel help you treat each person with dignity, whether they’re hostile, hurting, or hardened by sin?
Sheriff Horton:
The Gospel or the “Word” helps me to look past another person’s actions and/or outward appearance with the understanding that they have a salvageable soul. We are saved by grace and called to be witnesses. Our humility, through the grace of God, gives us the opportunity to allow them to see Christ in how we act and respond. My hope is always that something in our demeanor pricks their heart and awakens a desire for the peace of salvation that they see in us.
Question: Your role is built on enforcing the law, and yet the gospel is full of mercy. How has God’s mercy toward you shaped the way you exercise discretion, patience, or compassion?
Sheriff Horton:
It’s changed everything. I’ve learned that there’s the letter of the law, and then there’s the spirit of the law. The letter is black and white. But the spirit looks at the bigger picture, what outcome is best for the individual and the community as a whole.
God has freely given me Grace and compels me to extend the same, if possible, to others. I have witnessed several occasions that in-lieu of an arrest, a person has changed their life based on the mercy extended to them in a situation where they made a bad decision. An arrest would have set them back in many facets, but an opportunity to reconcile their error, without it impacting their record, shows them compassion and allows them to not only get past their mistake, but extend grace to others as well. God is love, and that is contagious.
Question: When the weight of the job feels too much - mentally, emotionally, spiritually - what helps you endure without hardening your heart?
Sheriff Horton:
For me, it starts with getting alone with God. I remind myself of Romans 8:28, “All things work together for the good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” And that he will always strive with us and never forsake us.
Oftentimes I think of 1 Peter 4:12–19: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
It also helps me to remember that Jesus has called us and equipped us, regardless of how we feel in the moment, He will see us through. I have learned to recognize trials and hard times as proof that God is with us, otherwise the enemy would not be seeking to cause problems.
Justice That Remembers Grace
In a world where justice often feels cold and mechanical, Sheriff Horton’s reflections offer a powerful reminder: The gospel doesn’t eliminate justice, it fulfills it through the cross, where mercy and righteousness meet.
From the booking desk to the back roads of Etowah County, Sheriff Horton is proof that Christ-followers can, and must, carry the weight of their vocations with Kingdom resolve. His words call us back to a vision of justice that remembers grace, leadership that kneels to pray, and authority that trembles before God.
After all, in the kingdom of Christ, every inmate, every addict, every broken man and woman - yes, even every officer - has a name, a story, and a soul. May we hear the echoes of Micah 6:8 in the footsteps of a man trying, day by day, to walk that ancient path of justice and mercy.
Prayer Guide: Etowah County Sheriff's Office
The role of a law enforcement officer is one of deep tension, upholding justice while navigating brokenness, bearing authority while needing mercy, facing hostility while being called to love.
As Sheriff Jonathon Horton shared in his interview, these burdens can only be carried rightly under the cross of Christ. Below are prayer points to help you lift up the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) and those they serve.
1. Pray for Sheriff Jonathon Horton and His Leadership Team
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given him.” — James 1:5
Pray that Sheriff Horton would walk humbly with God, relying not on human strength but divine wisdom.
Ask the Lord to protect his heart from pride, burnout, or bitterness.
Pray that every leadership decision he makes would reflect both justice and grace, shaped by the Word of God.
2. Pray for the Deputies and Staff of ECSO
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
Pray for strength and courage as they face dangerous and difficult situations.
Ask for supernatural patience, discernment, and restraint in the heat of confrontation.
Pray that Christian deputies would shine the light of Christ among their coworkers and the public.
3. Pray for Mercy in Law Enforcement Decisions
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.” — James 2:12–13
Pray that the Sheriff’s Office would exercise discretion with wisdom, balancing the letter and the spirit of the law.
Ask God to raise up a culture of grace and accountability, where lives can be redirected, not just punished.
Pray for opportunities to extend mercy that leads to repentance and redemption.
4. Pray for the Inmates and Those in Custody
“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them…” — Hebrews 13:3
Pray that inmates would encounter the gospel, through chaplains, volunteers, deputies, or Scripture.
Ask that each one would be seen and treated as an image-bearer of God.
Pray for true heart change, not just external reform, and that many would be released into new life in Christ.
5. Pray for Endurance Through Trials and Opposition
“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial… but rejoice that you share in Christ’s sufferings…” — 1 Peter 4:12–13
Pray for spiritual protection against cynicism, despair, or emotional hardness.
Ask the Lord to renew their strength daily, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Pray that trials would press them closer to Christ, not farther from Him.
6. Pray for the People of Etowah County
“Seek the welfare of the city… and pray to the Lord on its behalf…” — Jeremiah 29:7
Pray for healing and reconciliation in areas where there is tension between law enforcement and the community.
Ask God to bless and protect families affected by crime, poverty, addiction, or violence.
Pray for the Spirit of God to bring revival and reformation in Etowah County, from the courthouse to county line.
About the Author:
Sheriff Jonathon Horton serves as the elected Sheriff of Etowah County, Alabama. With decades of experience in law enforcement and public service, he leads with a commitment to justice shaped by the mercy of Christ. A devoted husband, father, and follower of Jesus, Sheriff Horton believes that every person, regardless of background or past, is made in the image of God and not beyond redemption. He is passionate about serving his community with integrity, humility, and a gospel hope.
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