09/09/2026
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved retired law enforcement officer, Henry Leo Minor, 80, of Chicago, Illinois. He passed away peacefully at home on September 6, 2026.
Henry began his law enforcement career in 1985 after graduating from the Police Academy at the University of Alabama. He then went to work at North Alabama Regional and Lurleen B. Wallace in the mental health department as an officer. He transferred to Bryce Hospital in 1994.
After that, he took a job with the City of Vance as an officer, then was promoted to assistant police chief and shortly after became Chief of Police at Vance where he retired in June of 2008.
He then decided that retirement was not for him and began working for the Bibb County Sheriff's Department in the fall of 2008 where he remained on the force until his death. He was the chaplain for Cahaba Lodge 44 FOP .
He was dedicated to serving his community and loved his fellow deputies and officers.
Beyond the badge, Henry was deeply committed to God, his family and community. He met his wife, Debbie, at Bryce Hospital in 1996, and their 29-year marriage was a testament to love, laughter and mutual support built on shared values of service and love of God and family. Henry was always present in their family's daughter, Amber's extracurricular activities and taught her that leadership is service, not power and that hand work and honesty is always the best policy, lessons she carried into her own career as a paramedic/first responder.
He also had a love for hunting, fishing and riding his motorcycle.
He never met a stranger and treated everyone with kindness and respect. He shared his love of Jesus with everyone that he came across. He was passionate about his community, from the courthouse to the school functions to the roads on the way to and from work. He had a wave with one hand and a diet Pepsi in the other with a Reese Cup or honey bun in between.
He was preceded in death by his father Henry Odes Minor; mother Jean Minor; brothers James Dempsey, Jack Dempsey; sisters, Dorthy Jean Cooper, Linnie "Sis" Haggard, Judy Lipe, Jeri Guard.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughter Amber (Britni) Steward; brothers Henry (Liz) Minor, Mike (Susan) Minor; Brother-in-law Glen Champion; Sister-in-law Louise Dempsey and a host of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Bibb County Board of Education Auditorium at 721 Walnut Street
Centreville, Alabama. A visitation service will begin at 10:00am with the funeral following at 11:00am.
Honorary pallbearers include Sheriff Jody Wade, Chief Deputy Kenneth Weems, Bibb County Sheriff's Deputies, City of Vance Police Department, Chief Tommy Graham, Centreville Police Department, Brent Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, West Blocton Police Department, Bibb County Schools faculty and staff, Bibb County Courthouse Employees, and Elk's Lodge 393. FOP Cahaba lodge 44
