By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy recently received national recognition for his role in solving the shooting death of a horse in Palmerdale.

Deputy Dwight Sloan of Mt. Olive was presented with American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award at a Nov. 1 ceremony in New York City.

Sloan has worked as an animal cruelty investigator for the past four years, though he has worked for the sheriff’s office for more than 20 years. He said working animal cruelty cases has been rewarding. “Animals appreciate what you do for them a whole lot more than some people,” he said.

The case which gained Sloan national recognition began on May 3, when homeowners in Palmerdale discovered their five-year-old Palomino, Champ, had been shot and killed.

The case garnered state-wide attention and a $10,300 reward for information on the horse’s killing was raised by neighbors of the victim and people across the country, according to Sloan.

“What made it a potential difficult case to solve is the fact that we didn’t have any witnesses,” Sloan said. “Nobody saw enough of the vehicle and definitely hadn’t seen anyone. With the help of the Humane Society and an elite group of animal lovers all over the country, we solved this case in a short period of time.”

On May 11, the sheriff’s office arrested 18-year-old Chase Duane Lowe, who was also charged with one felony count of killing livestock. Lowe was freed on a $100,000 bond on May 12. A date for Lowe’s trial in circuit court has not been set.

Sloan said he thinks there’s a motive in the killing, but said he would not go into specifics with a trial looming.

Sgt. Randy Christian of the sheriff’s office described the case as one that “polarized the community” and also said “a threat or harmful act aimed at our young people, senior citizens or innocent animals is something that our communities will not stand for.” He commended Sloan on winning such a prestigious award.

“Deputy Sloan did an outstanding job investigating this case,” Christian said in a statement. “He was instrumental in developing information that eventually led to the suspect’s arrest. … He is very deserving of this award.”

Deputy Sloan was also recognized by the ASPCA for his work in spearheading the construction of a rescue and rehabilitation barn for hoof, stock and equine. The ASPCA’s Web site called it “the first shelter of its kind in Alabama.”

Sloan said having a farm has exposed him to a variety of animals and has played a role in helping him be a successful animal cruelty investigator. He said he has unfortunately had a large case load this year.

“Education, in my opinion, is what the southeast is lacking in terms of animal care,” he said. “Society is changing every day and this year we’ve had a tremendous increase in animal crimes.”

Not only is Sloan solving these crimes, but he’s taking an active part to protect animals that have to be taken out of dangerous situations. However, his plans to secure land that would protect larger animals has met with opposition from some members of the Jefferson County Commission.

“People have to understand the bigger the animal, the bigger the care,” he said. “If I’m seizing animals as evidence, we have to have some place to put them.”

Sloan said he and the humane society had been working on plans for a shelter and hoped to make an announcement within the coming weeks.