Behind the Scenes at the Sheriff’s Office

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

It is not uncommon to see the local Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) highlighted in the paper, whether it is to shed some light on heroic acts, thank them for attending community events or for spotlights on one of the many wonderful and hardworking deputies employed there. But what often goes unseen are the efforts of those behind the scenes, the women behind the desks that keep the whole engine running smoothly. These women are the unsung heroes that so often support the men and women we recognize that keep our county safe. The four women who serve as the power-house of the JCSO are Dawn Stiff, Cricket Edwards, Marie Rigdon and Susan Edwards.
Dawn Stiff is the Executive Assistant to Sheriff Mac McNeill and has served the Sheriff's Office for a little over 15 years. She and her husband Doug have been married for 37 years and have two children and six grandchildren. Dawn feels that the best part of her job is being part of a large family, and she enjoys the interaction she has with her coworkers on a daily basis.
“No matter what any of us might face, we always know our work family will be there for us.” Stiff says. “I have always felt very fortunate to have this position and the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of people.” When she is not at work, Stiff enjoys her many hobbies, including gardening, crafting, remodeling and planning events.
Cricket Edwards works a number of roles at the Sheriff's Office and serves as Felony/ Misdemeanor/Juvenile Clerk, Grants Manager, Victim Advocate Supervisor, Staff Assistant and Civil Process Clerk. She has been working to serve her community for the last 32 years at JCSO, and likes that each day that she comes to work is different and challenging. Edwards has one son, and a daughter in law, and when she isn't at work, she enjoys her many outdoor hobbies, including fishing, boating and hunting. “Anything outside,” Edward says.
Marie Rigdon serves as a Victim Advocate, but also reviews and processes new employment applications and background investigations. She also maintains the personnel management system, to ensure that all officer and instructor certification requirements are met and maintained. In addition to that, she serves as training coordinator for JCSO and processes public record requests. In total, she has served JCSO for 15 years. She and her husband Jerrod have three children, a cat and a dog.
When asked about what her favorite part of the job is, Rigdon replied, “Working in the community (see a need, fill a need), meeting new people and the wonderful people I get to work with and for.” When she isn't at work, she enjoys fishing and gardening, and tomatoes are her green-thumb specialty!
Susan Edwards serves as a Fiscal Assistant, and although she has prior experience in her field, she has been working at JCSO for about two and a half years. Out of all the aspects of her job, Edwards enjoys her coworkers the most, and when she is not at work, she is home with her family. A Jefferson County native, Edwards is just one of the many amazing people working to serve our great community.
Kudos to these four fantastic and dedicated women, who keep the engine of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office running like it should!