The Alabama District Attorneys Association recently held its annual 2014 Summer Conference where it selected its “District Attorney of the Year.”  The Brad Morris Memorial District Attorney of the Year Award is a prestigious honor of distinction in the field of prosecution and is voted on by ones professional peers.  This year’s award recipient is Mike O’Dell, the District Attorney of Cherokee and DeKalb Counties.

Mr. O’Dell has worked in the District Attorney’s Office since 1981 when he was hired as Deputy District Attorney.  He was appointed by the Governor as the District Attorney for the Ninth Circuit in 1996. As a result of his relentless drive and dedication, Mr. O’Dell has been elected to the Office three times, in 1998, 2004, and 2010. He is characterized by those who know him as a man of conviction, a man of great faith, and a man of many good deeds.

St. Clair County District Attorney and ADAA President Richard Minor said, “There is no other District Attorney more deserving of this honor.”

Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall said, “Mike is a recognized leader among District Attorneys statewide. He has been innovative, a good steward of public funds and a champion for victims.” Marshall further said, “His recognition is well deserved.”

Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston said, “I have worked alongside Mike closely for over 17 years.  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with him.  Mike is a man of passion and conviction.  I have never seen anyone with more zeal for justice than Mike O’Dell.”

Johnston also said, “On behalf of his staff, I can state with confidence that we believe him to be the state’s best district attorney.  I am grateful to the DA’s Association and it’s investigators for recognizing his service and contribution to justice.”

Mr. O’Dell has served on the Alabama District Attorneys Association Executive Committee, which is the governing body for the district attorneys of the State of Alabama, in the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Member-at-Large.  In this capacity, he has worked tirelessly to promote the interest of prosecutors, victims, law enforcement, and the citizens of the state of Alabama

Since being elected District Attorney, O’Dell has successfully prosecuted multiple murder cases, as well as other violent crimes.

Protecting children has always been very important to O’Dell. He co-founded the DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1991, and the Cherokee Children’s Advocacy Center in 1994.

Mr. O’Dell is also recognized as being at the forefront in the State of Alabama for promoting legislation needed to make Alabama a better place. He was instrumental in the passage of the Unlawful Manufacture of a Controlled Substance law and the recent restriction of the sale of pseudoephederine, the primary ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, which has

led to a drastic reduction in the number of meth labs being found state wide. In 2003, O’Dell authored the “Neelley Bill” to prevent criminals that were sentenced to death and then commuted by the Governor to ever be eligible for parole. He also helped lead the charge for the passage of the Brody Bill, which granted “personhood” to unborn babies.

In 1981, he started the Child Support Unit, which has collected over $30 million on the behalf of children. The Child Support Unit has been recognized and honored with numerous awards. O’Dell opened the Worthless Check Unit in 1984, and has collected over $20 million in fees and restitution for area merchants.

The District Attorney of the Year Award was established in 1986 in memory of Brad Morris, who was an investigator for former Jefferson County District Attorney David Barber and was a founding member of the Alabama District Attorney’s Investigator’s Association.