Pictured are (from left): Shawna Walker, Paralegal; Karren Price, District Attorney; Lynda K. Russell, Assistant District Attorney; Ricky Allen, Investigator; and Whitley Williams, Paralegal.
February 1, 2021 - The Shelby County District Attorney's Office held a swearing-in ceremony for new Assistant District Attorney, Lynda K Russell and new Investigator, Ricky Allen.
In addition to Russell and Allen, District Attorney Karren Price introduced her other staff members Shawna Walker, Paralegel; and Whitley Williams, Paralegel.
Administering the oath of office to Russell and Allen was Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1.
A press release issued by the District Attorney's Office reads as follows: We are swearing in the last two slots in our team today and I want to introduce everyone. I'm grateful for each of these folks and wanted to let everyone know who each is and briefly describe their role. This is an awesome job you have trusted me with and I want you to know I will remember every day that I work for you and so will these staff members.
Shawna Walker, Paralegal:
Shawna is from Timpson, is married to Kenny and has a herd of beautiful grand babies. She is the senior member of our team in terms of service in this office. She has been in the D.A.'s office since 1999, and around the courthouse for longer than that. She has critically important knowledge of a lot of history, processes and people. None of us can succeed without her.
Whitley Williams, Paralegal:
Whitley is the youngest of our team, is also from Timpson, is married to Taylor and has two sweet babies, one preschooler and one infant. Whitley is a little dynamo and a great worker. While she is young with much to learn, I can find no quit in her and I am happy she decided to return after a 6-month hiatus last year surrounding the birth of her baby boy.
Whitley has a can do, willing to jump in and try, team spirit who understands the important services we provide to our community and recognizes that we are here to help.
Ricky Allen joins the D.A.'s office:
Today marks the first day since January 1 that the District Attorney's office is fully staffed. Today we welcome Ricky Allen, a Timpson native, DPS Narcotics retiree and former Chief Deputy for Shelby County as our investigator. Ricky brings over 30 years experience in law enforcement to the table, and I am confident in telling you he has seen it all. It was my desire to find the right fit, meaning someone who had in fact seen it all and someone who also understands the importance of good report writing and the difficulties of trial preparation when the work isn't done at the front end of our cases.
I have complete faith in Ricky's ability to communicate our requirements and needs to the officers who rely on us to finish the business they begin, and in his ability to aid them in building rock solid cases.
Lynda K. Russell joins the D.A.'s office as Assistant District Attorney:
Ms. Russell requires no introduction. She is not a native of Shelby County but adopted us over 40 years ago and has dedicated herself to us ever since. I doubt there is a charity she has not contributed to, a Board she hasn't served on or an entity to which she hasn't volunteered time or funds. Hers has truly been a life of service to her community and in my opinion, we owe her a debt of gratitude for that service.
Lynda K., as we all know her, has roughly 30 years experience as an attorney, 12 as our District Attorney. I never have to question her loyalty to the mission of a prosecutor, the law or our community and that is important to all of us. She brings integrity, trustworthiness, dedication and great knowledge of the law and our jurisdiction to the table, and like Ricky, she's probably seen it all by now.
I believe she is the best person for the job and I have complete faith in her and her abilities, I hope you will join me in welcoming her back to the work she enjoys and where she can do the most good for our community.
