From Opelika Field Officer-in-Charge Joshua McDonald
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles proudly presents Opelika Field Officer John Chad Leverette with the 2023 Officer of the Year Award!
Officer Leverette graduated Auburn University with his bachelor’s degree on August 15, 2000. He began his career in law enforcement working for the Lee County Commission in June 2003. In April 2010, Officer Leverette joined the Alexander City Police Department, obtaining certifications in K9 handling, Traffic Homicide Investigation, and Drug Interdiction and primarily being assigned to the Traffic Unit within the police department. In April 2014, Officer Leverette joined the City of Opelika Police Department and continued his K9 handling and Traffic Homicide Investigation duties. Officer Leverette began with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles on April 14, 2018.
On April 15, 2023, the law enforcement community lost a member of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Chris Salomone. Officer Leverette and Deputy Salomone were close friends. During the night of April 12, 2023, Deputy Salomone suffered a severe stroke. After Deputy Salomone and his family arrived at the hospital, Officer Leverette was one of the first calls made by Deputy Salomone’s wife to notify him of the tragic situation. Officer Leverette, without hesitation, responded to the emergency room to be with the family. During that time, his wife stated that she did not feel that she could return to their residence after watching her husband suffer his medical emergency and did not have any other immediate options available. Officer Leverette took it upon himself to set Deputy Salomone’s family up in a nearby rental. Officer Leverette helped gather their belongings and move the family into the rental. Officer Leverette quickly became the point of contact for family, friends, and the local law enforcement community in coordinating all activities for both Deputy Salomone and his family.
Deputy Salomone was soon declared brain-dead. Deputy Salomone was an organ donor and was held on life support at the East Alabama Medical Center prior to being transported to UAB in Birmingham for organ donation. Officer Leverette organized a walk of honor for Deputy Salomone as he was brought out of East Alabama Medical Center to the specialized transport ambulance from UAB. Law enforcement officers, deputies and other emergency personnel gathered to honor Deputy Salomone and his family. Officer Leverette was a part of the escort, in representation of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
Officer Leverette played a major role in the funeral arrangements with Deputy Salomone’s family and coordinated many aspects. During this time, many Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies made it a point to inform me of how appreciative they were of Officer Leverette and for the tasks that he took on, for the leadership, and strength he provided.
In April 2023, Officer Leverette obtained a short-term rental townhome for Deputy Salomone’s family. He organized a group of more than 30 volunteers and moved the family and their belongings from their original home and the rental to the townhome. The short-term townhome was only available to be used for the family until July 2023. Through the aide of Officer Leverette and the family’s church, a new home for Deputy Salomone’s family was completely repainted and prepared for move in. On July 15, 2023, Officer Leverette organized multiple groups totaling approximately 60 people who completely moved Deputy Salomone’s Family into their new home in four hours from start to finish.
Officer Leverette was involved in organizing a fundraiser for the family at Wild Wing Café in Opelika with the help of a local law enforcement motorcycle club. The fundraiser successfully raised $2,500 and was presented directly to the family. In addition to the fundraising event, the rental, the short-term townhome, and the storage unit used throughout this time totaled more than $4,000. This was provided to the family at no cost. Officer Leverette was directly involved and coordinated each move with assistance of multiple groups and businesses in this area that he had personal connections with. In addition to the rental properties utilized to assist the family, another $4,000 in cash was raised and presented directly to the family. Officer Leverette was the prominent figure head each step of the way, from beginning to end. To say that Officer Leverette went above and beyond would be an understatement given the unselfish actions he took on during this time and the unconditional friendship provided to a fellow officer. The Alabama Bureau of Pardons of Paroles was, and is, represented to the highest level of integrity and honor through Officer Leverette.
Not only is Officer Leverette an outstanding and caring friend, but he also plays a prominent role as an officer in the Opelika Field Office. There are many instances when Officer Leverette has gone above what is asked of him. Recently, there was an incident in which he was able to showcase his abilities and his willingness to work with other agencies in the law enforcement capacity. In June 2023, Officer Leverette was contacted by the Opelika Investigations Division regarding a probationer he supervised. Officer Leverette was informed by Opelika Investigators that the probationer had a case being worked for stolen identities and forgeries. Opelika Investigators obtained a search warrant for the probationer’s residence. Opelika Police Department and the ABPP Opelika Field Office collaborated in the execution of the search warrant. Officer Leverette was assisted by Officer John Mullins from the Opelika Field Office during the search. Later that morning, the search was executed by the Opelika Police Department, Opelika K9 Division and Auburn Police Department. Officers Leverette and Mullins initially stayed on the perimeter as the other agencies made entry into the residence and secured the scene. During the search, many stolen and forged items were found. Authorities also located electronic devices and printers that were being used to produce forged documents and instruments. Officer Leverette immediately notified the proper chain of command, which lead to an investigation lead by the State Bureau of Investigations.
All in all, Officer Leverette is an invaluable asset to the Alabama Bureau Pardons and Paroles. He brings more than can be put on paper to both the Opelika Field Office and the Bureau. Officer Leverette is an officer and a person of integrity and honor.