Legacy and Leadership | Mobile, AL Sheriff Paul Burch part 1

What a humble servant, Mobile, Alabama, has in Sheriff Paul Burch.  You won't want to miss a second of this dynamic conversation with David, a man who truly supports his people, jumps in the field with them, and will fight for them with the facts. Talk about a leader leaving a legacy! 

Sheriff Paul Burch is a Mobile native and a graduate of B.C. Rain High School. He is married and the proud father of four children. He holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice, a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, and is a 2014 graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session #258).

From 1983 to 1988, Sheriff Burch honorably served in the United States Navy as a Seabee. He began his law enforcement career in 1989 with the Montgomery Police Department and returned home to Mobile in 1990 to join the Mobile Police Department. In 1999, he continued his service to the community by joining the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the course of his thirty-six-year career in law enforcement, Sheriff Burch has served in a variety of roles, including uniformed patrol, general investigations, homicide investigations, and narcotics. His extensive experience reflects a lifelong dedication to serving the citizens of Mobile County with professionalism, integrity, and respect.

Before his election as Sheriff of Mobile County in November 2022, Sheriff Burch served in every rank within the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, from Patrol Deputy to Chief Deputy, making him the only sheriff in the agency’s history to have held every rank prior to being elected. This distinction underscores his deep understanding of every facet of the department. He was formally sworn in as Sheriff in January 2023.

Sheriff Burch remains actively involved in the community and currently serves on the Child Advocacy Center Board, the Penelope House Board, and the Legislative Committee for the Alabama Sheriffs Association.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to Legacy and Leadership. I'm David McKeon. Join me as we talk to leaders in their field regarding their thoughts on leading a legacy and impact in their families and in their community. Welcome to Legacy and Leadership. I'm David McKean, and I am honored to have as my guest today uh Sheriff Paul Birch, who is a native Mobilian and uh U.S. Navy CB veteran who has served in law enforcement for more than 36 years. He is also a graduate of BC Rain High School. He earned degrees in criminal justice and homeland security, and he completed the FBI National Academy as well. Want to learn more about that, Sheriff Birch? He began his law enforcement career in 1989 and is the only sheriff in Mobile County history to have held every rank in the sheriff's office before being elected in 2022. He serves on the Child Advocacy Board, the Penelope House Board, and the Alabama Sheriff's Association Association Legislative Committee. So welcome, Sheriff Burch. We're so glad to have you. Thank you for inviting me. Absolutely. So I'd like to spend a few minutes just to get to know you and have our audience uh kind of understand more about your background. So what was it like growing up in Mobile for you?

SPEAKER_00 1:20

Well, I mean, had a wonderful childhood back when, you know, there was no such thing as cell phones or computers. But, you know, both of my parents worked, but you know, there was always a network of moms who, you know, we had to check in during certain times. And just just growing up, you know, with friends and running and playing, being things that boys do. Yeah. And so I it's very fond memories of of that and wish the world were more like that today.

SPEAKER_01 1:49

Sure, absolutely. Did you play any sports growing up or I I did.

SPEAKER_00 1:53

I played football for a short time, but you know, park ball. And then uh you know when I got into high school, I I played drums and band, um, marching band and concert band, but also started working at 14 years old. Really. And wow. So the uh just I've always been driven to work. Okay. And you know, back then you could get part your parents had to sign to get a permit to work, of course they'd take me. Yeah, or I'd walk, you know, to and from. And you know, as I got to driving at 16, aside from school and man, I worked two jobs. So my goodness. But you know, I put a lot of, I reinvested all that money back into my truck. And so wish I had that money put back then.

SPEAKER_01 2:39

Uh I can relate to that.

SPEAKER_00 2:41

I built it and had it built in such a way that, you know, I I used to race for gas money back then. Uh-huh. And so but but it had an engine when when the speed arm went one way, the fuel gauge went the other.

SPEAKER_02 2:52

But it was a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_01 2:56

That's great. That's great. You you said you were very driven uh at a young age. Was was that out of necessity, or or was it because uh uh some uh parental influence?

SPEAKER_00 3:07

Parental and and and grandparents. Um you know, my grandfather, oh my uh my mom's dad, uh, he was he was older. Um he was born New Year's Eve 1900. Wow. And so you know he was already retired as we were growing up. But I we used to always say if if someone got in trouble, instead of sending them to prison, send them to work for him, and they'll never commit a crime again. Really? That man would work you to death, but he caught us, taught us a great work ethic. Um I love that. You know, a lot of cousins lived, you know, in the area, you know, close by, so we'd spend weekends there. He lived on the bay.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 3:45

And so, you know, we were we were always either working in the garden, helping repair, build greenhouse a new greenhouse, and just there was always something to do. But then, you know, when we were done with those chores, and he was right there with us. He didn't just say, hey, go do this. He was right there with us. Then we got to go out in the bay and and have fun and go saw shelling, floundering, those kind of things. And you know, even as he his health began to decline, because he lived until he was 97. My goodness. You know, he he about his last year, he was pretty much blind. And he would go out, he had pecan trees everywhere. He would go fill with his feet and pick up pecans and then go in go inside and shell them. Really? Yeah. So I mean, he just a great role model growing up. And of course, my dad worked a lot too.

SPEAKER_01 4:31

So yeah, that's that's great. Sounds like an incredible man. Yep. I I a a quick aside I gotta ask, have have you ever seen a Jubilee uh in person?

SPEAKER_00 4:41

One time across the bay. Didn't never saw one on Mobile Bay, but uh went to one across the bay years ago. So it's something to behold.

SPEAKER_01 4:50

I bet. For for those uh not from the the uh lower Alabama area, uh a Jubilee is a phenomenon that that last I heard, I think exists in two places in the world. Uh and Mobile Bay is is one of them, and and it's where all the uh the fish and the seafood come up on the shore, and you can literally just go by and scoop them up. Flounder and shrimp and all kinds of stuff, right? Crabs. Yep. That's great.

SPEAKER_00 5:17

Yeah, we used to uh there used to be a restaurant called McGovern's uh at the end of Bayfront Road. And so my cousins and I would, there was a big heavy set older guy sat in the kitchen. We would get a little styrofoam cooler, pick up saw shells really until it was full, and he'd give us a nickel apiece for them. We thought we were very wealthy. We would buy gum and and candy and from 7-Eleven almost until it wasn't anymore.

SPEAKER_01 5:47

You use it to load up on sugar, right? Oh, that's great. That's uh that's incredible. I I tell you what, that's that's been a joy of mine personally, is is raising my children on the coast and then I'm enjoying that coastal life because uh the stuff that you just mentioned uh is so unique. Yep. So that's fantastic. We're very fortunate to have that environment here. Yeah, absolutely, without a doubt. So um, so so high school, you you were in the band and and you worked two jobs. My goodness. How how did you find time to do that?

SPEAKER_00 6:17

Yeah, after band practice, I they had built recently built the McDonald's across the street. Okay. Um, and then later a Godfather's. So I would the days I wasn't working at at McDonald's, I work at Godfathers on the weekends. I I would do both. My goodness. So, but you know, my parents were were, you know, I was fortunate. They gave me a truck, it was an old truck, but gave me a truck, and then said you're responsible for gas and and insurance. And so Wow. But you know, I was very fortunate and I took really good care of it.

SPEAKER_01 6:50

Yeah, yeah, that's great. That's great. Well, good. So what led you to to join the Navy?

SPEAKER_00 6:55

Well, it's actually uh, you know, interesting story because I I knew from an early age that I wanted to be in law enforcement. So at the time, at you know, coming up on graduation, I went to apply for Mobile Police Department, found out they would not hire you until you're 23 years old.

SPEAKER_02 7:16

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 7:16

So it I signed at 17 to the U.S. Navy CB's for five years, so I'd be 23 when I got out. Wow. And and the rest is history, as they say. I've been in law enforcement since. Wow, that's incredible.

SPEAKER_01 7:28

So what was it like as a 17, 18 year old joining the Navy? Was it scary?

SPEAKER_00 7:33

Was it it was because it and the reason it was is you know, growing up, you know, we lived in Navco, grandparents were on DIP, so just kind of stayed in that area. I think maybe, you know, went to the mall maybe twice. I mean, I rarely left that Dolphin Island Parkway area. So it was real culture shock having to go somewhere out of state. Wow. And you know, because I never really had been out of state, you know. Wow. So it was eye-opening and and you know, never, you know, been away from home and all that. And so it was it was unique. And you know, we had boot camp, and then I was uh stepped first station in Virginia. And then after that, again, that you know, but uh I got married shortly after graduating high school. And so, you know, I still had that core family, and I and looking back, probably did it so young because I was away by myself.

SPEAKER_02 8:32

Right.

SPEAKER_00 8:33

And um, and then after that, after Virginia uh got deployed to Puerto Rico, and then I was in a mobile battalion. Okay. So first time I basically they're still part of the U.S., but it was out of country for me. I'd never seen anything like that. Sure. And then after that, Japan and then Spain. My goodness. You know, that was and I loved Spain. Did you really loved it? Yeah. Okay. Japan was nice, but Spain, just the culture there and the people. Very unique. Yep. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:04

So you were you were a CB. Some people may not know what that is.

SPEAKER_00 9:09

Would you mind sharing a little bit about the construction battalion? And you know, they you know I've five years in the Navy never set foot on a ship. They flew us everywhere. So that's fascinating. A lot a lot of your training is you know with the Marines. And you know, they have the amphibious ships that you can pull equipment and personnel off of. But I I was a steel worker, so um, I I enjoyed doing it. And and for a minute considered, okay, this might be a good living. Then I got tired of just coming home and coughing up and you know, blowing out black stuff every night. So I I know I stuck to my my career plan to, you know, being law enforcement when I got out.

SPEAKER_01 9:50

Absolutely. So so from a leadership perspective, what what was it like being in the Navy?

SPEAKER_00 9:57

It was, you know, uh, I I rose through the ranks pretty quickly. Um I was on the list to be promoted to E6 when I got out, which is you know in five years that's pretty good. Yeah. I was an E5 steel worker when I got out. And so you you move into those leadership roles. Again, I I was still a kid, and I've got people, you know, a lot older than me that you know now I'm responsible for, you know, a squad consists of about you know 50, 60 people. You know, uh battalion back then was about 650 people. And so you've broken up into several squads and and platoons. So, you know, now I'm I'm having to supervise, you know, people who are older than me. Yeah. And and it it was fun, it was challenging, never really had any problems. I I think I've always had a unique talent for identifying talent and specialty skills in other people. And and that transitioned into my law enforcement role as I started going taking on leadership roles there. Just I don't know what it is, just I can, you know, watch people observe them for a little while and and figure out, you know, what their special skills are. And and my coworkers get tired of hearing me say it, but I'm a big believer in round pegs and round holes. Okay. And and so you identify those, you know, people's skills and then do everything you can to enhance those skills and let them build on it and let others learn from that as well. Right. So I love that. Every person, you know, either you know, that I worked with in the Navy or through law enforcement, everybody has their own little niche. And you just have to discover that and develop it and then let them pass that on to others.

SPEAKER_01 11:42

Yeah. It it sounds like that comes very natural to you to be able to identify people's talents and and their gifts. Um very practically for our audience, how how do you go about that process?

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Well, you know, and and this will go into you know probably some future questions, but I I think the most important and and way that I do that is keeping my mouth shut and listening and observing. And you have to be out there with with your coworkers and and and and I say coworkers, no one has ever heard me say, subordinate or employee, we all work together, our badges all look the same. I love that. So I love that. So, you know, I I everyone's a coworker. And so, you know, it's it's being out there with them, observing them. Because you you're not gonna identify any of that sitting behind a desk. And that's been the toughest challenge for me when I got elected was having to be behind that desk more than I want to be.

SPEAKER_01 12:45

Really?

SPEAKER_00 12:45

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:47

No, that's that's really, really good. Uh that's a really good nugget for our audience of of observing, but but also I love how you said you you want to get in, basically, as my father used to say, get in there amongst them. Absolutely. Right, and and go elbow to elbow. Um do you get pushback from that or do you get people kind of raise their eyebrows at times?

SPEAKER_00 13:09

I get pushback from from my staff. They don't like me out in the field. Um, you know, there's there's, you know, and I hear the story circle around, it gets embellished a little bit sometimes, but you know, we were in an operation picture not too long ago, and one of the deputies uh stopped a vehicle that had multiple occupants. Um he was dealing with them, and I I saw, because I was kind of floating around the Pritchard area because I like being out in the field. Right. And I saw him start to, you know, saw the driver start to go back and forth with him, get mouthy, and so I eased on over there. And so the guy started to struggle, try to get back in the car. Well, that didn't go well for him, let's say. And uh, you know, he was trying to reach a handgun that was up under an armrest, and and he, you know, got arrested. Yeah, and and word quickly circulated. The sheriff's out here fighting people. So I did. I mean, I I took him to the ground hard and handcuffed him. And yeah, so that circulated real quickly. Like I said, as it went around through the department, it got embellished a little bit by others, but you know, but it it it just but it I think demonstrated that you know I will always be willing to get out there and go shoulder to shoulder with the guys. Absolutely. And like I said a minute ago, you can't do that sitting behind a desk.

SPEAKER_01 14:31

Yeah. Do you it it I I love, as I mentioned earlier, the fact that that you have coworkers that you're elbow to elbow with those coworkers and and not employees. At times, does that cause issues in terms of hierarchy or or kind of people feeling too big for their britches or or not not really.

SPEAKER_00 14:52

Um, you know, another thing you know I do is go to in-service every year, and that's broken into several classes because you can't put the whole department through at one time. And and I share with them that when I'm out there in the field, I'm there just to be there and and make sure they have what they need. And so not there to take over a scene, you know, not there to give instructions. Just I'm I'm there watching and there if if I'm needed. Um and so you know, and that's I started doing this in in service when I took office. I go to each class and and they're they're usually, you know, a week long. So I it and I go to each class and just have an open forum. Yeah, and you know, it's it's free to ask questions, criticize. I make that real clear. And and it's it's been very productive and successful. A lot of them, you know, and and it's to see what their needs are. And a lot of times, most of the time, the issues that that they were concerned about, I was not aware of. And I was able to resolve it by the time I got back to to my office. Right. And you know, and and they see that they were heard. You know, and and so again, it's just uh the way I believe in running things. Yeah. Yeah. If somebody's gonna take the time to express a concern, or I'd say, or even a criticism, yeah, you know, it's incumbent upon me to address that and and get provide that feedback.

SPEAKER_01 16:26

Leading in that way and and receiving that constructive feedback or criticism, um uh have you had to develop a a thicker skin through the years, or did that come natural for you?

SPEAKER_00 16:37

It comes natural. I mean, to me, if you're not willing to accept criticism, you shouldn't be in a leadership role because because nobody's perfect. And and some of some of the criticism was warranted. Some of it is some things beyond my control. Yeah. And you know, like pay right and things like that, sure. And new equipment. You know, we do the best we can with the budget that we're given by the commission, you know, but I can't wave a wand and and make them give me more money. Right. So, but yeah, it's to be expected if you want to be in a position where you're you know leading people.

SPEAKER_01 17:10

That's that's great. I want to go back to something you said earlier when you were talking about your Navy career and how you how you accelerated so quickly. What would you, what would you, if you had to pinpoint one or two things, what would you uh point to as your reason for that that rise through the ranks and your success in the Navy?

SPEAKER_00 17:28

I I think it was just my my drive and willingness to work. And you know, I was one of these that, you know, the way I was raised, you know, you don't just you if you finish your task, that don't mean you just pack up and go. You you stay until others are finished and help them get, you know, and then that gets finished faster. And then you build that camaraderie and and that reputation. Yeah. And so, you know, and I guess it in a selfish way, if you looked at it as if you're if you finish what your your assignment was and you go back to the barracks, you're sitting there by yourself. Right. Right. So it's best to jump in with a team and and get everything done faster, and then get back to the barracks and everybody have a beer.

SPEAKER_01 18:08

Right, right, exactly. Yeah, um I also want to want to spend a few minutes on on something else you said, is is that at times because of your success, you had people that were older that were subordinates of yours. I have a I have a 16-year-old who's uh part of a varsity football team here locally, and and he's asked dad, you know, essentially, how do I lead up, right? How do I lead people that are are ahead of me in in years and and in grades uh on a football team. So how did you do that in the in the Navy?

SPEAKER_00 18:42

Well, uh tapping into those resources. Again, that there were people there who they'd been in the Navy already for 10 years, and some just had no desire to make rank. You know, they were happy just doing the job and and they were good at their jobs, but I would tap into that knowledge. Okay and experience. Yes. I mean, because that that's invaluable. And so, and even from then to today, I'm never afraid to ask. You know, because none of us know everything. Right. And especially today, and and I'll get back to the Navy, but the evolving technology every day, that's not something that's not a strong suit of mine. So I have to ask a lot when it comes to that stuff to to be able to understand it. But you know, as far as just you know, being successful in the Navy, I I attribute that to you know not thinking about, okay, I'm a higher rank than these people. You know, I'm I'm here to learn from them. Right. And then be able to provide what they need to do a better job. And I was never afraid to argue with the higher ups ever.

SPEAKER_01 19:46

Fascinating.

SPEAKER_00 19:47

But you do that with facts, and you can't just do it complaining.

SPEAKER_01 19:51

Right. Right. That makes a lot of sense.

SPEAKER_00 19:53

And I worked for some good leaders in the Navy and police work, and I work for some terrible leaders. And you learn from both.

SPEAKER_01 20:03

You you you seem to express a lot of humility in uh your willingness to get constructive feedback, but also to to ask those who have more experience. Where does that come from for you?

SPEAKER_00 20:14

Uh I would just, you know, just a desire to learn and understand people. And and I that's what, you know, I guess my whole desire of doing what I do is loving people and you know, doing what you can to make, you know, not only, you know, this county a better place, but you know, you you can have a positive impact on people's lives. And so that that really is a always driven me is is just liking to be around people and and sharing ideas and spending time with them.

SPEAKER_01 20:48

Hey, if you like this episode, please stop right now and share it with a friend so they too can benefit from it. Please join us in a couple of weeks as we drop the second part of this episode. I promise you won't want to miss it.