Courthouse safety top priority for Hubbard

“The security we provide to the employees who work in the courthouse is the most important part of this job,” Hubbard said. “Even though we’re a small town, the judges and employees still deserve the same security that bigger cities have.”

Hubbard’s concern for security is what makes her current job important to her, but it’s also what made her decide to pursue a career in law enforcement in the first place.

Hubbard first entered the law enforcement community in 1999 when she applied for and received a position as a school resource officer at Red Bay High School.

On the heels of the Columbine High School shooting, which occurred in April of 1999, Hubbard saw the need for more security at RBHS after previously serving as a substitute teacher there.

“My son was in first grade at the time and my daughter was in third grade,” Hubbard said. “When I was substituting, I noticed that anyone could just walk into the school and have access to the classrooms, and I felt like the kids needed more security.

 “The Columbine shooting was heavy on my mind, and I just wanted to do something to make sure my kids and the other kids there would be safe.”

Before officially taking her position at the school, Hubbard attended the police academy and received the same training as regular patrol officers.

“I learned how to shoot, went through the agility training and all the other physical training,” Hubbard said. “Some people don’t realize that I have the same training as other officers. The only difference is that I don’t get out in a car.”

After serving as the school resource officer at RBHS for a year, her position was cut due to funding issues. But Hubbard still had a desire to keep people safe.

“My Grandpa Hatton was a constable in Lawrence County years ago so I understood the importance of law enforcement,” Hubbard said. “After you’re a part of it, it just gets in your blood.”

Hubbard applied for and received the job as a courthouse security officer in 2001. At the time, there were three security officers at the courthouse as opposed to the two officers there now due to funding.

“People don’t realize that this job can be very difficult, especially now that there’s only two of us,” Hubbard said. “We don’t just sit at the metal detector all day watching the monitors. That’s only part of what we do.”

Hubbard said that she and Bolton also serve as bailiffs; serve warrants for the Alabama State Trooper’s office and other law enforcement agencies; escort jury members, victims, and witnesses to their vehicles; secure the courthouse every morning before employees arrive; help in medical emergency situations until medical personnel can arrive; and assist in situations where a female officer is needed.

“Things happen around here that people don’t ever know about because we try our best to stop it before it gets out of hand,” Hubbard said.

And Hubbard’s family has confidence in her ability to handle situations that could get out of hand. Jeff, her husband of 23 years, her 17-year-old son Zachary, and her 19-year-old daughter Sierra are very supportive of the career choice Hubbard has made.

“I know they might worry a little, but I think they know I can take care of myself, and if I can’t, I’ve got good back-up. Andrea’s a good partner,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said that even though Franklin County has a small courthouse, there is always the potential for a dangerous situation. But she wants to make sure that these situations are sparse, if not non-existent.

“You never know what will make a person mad enough to try to hurt someone else. It doesn’t have to be a guilty verdict. It could be something as simple as the amount of their land taxes,” Hubbard said. “I just want to be here as long as I can to make sure the people here stay safe.”