http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28639114/Mayfield found dead in office
The Anniston Star
updated 10:50 a.m. CT, Tues., Jan. 13, 2009
ANNISTON, Alabama - Friends and family of Allen Mayfield, local bail-bondsmen and private security entrepreneur, said Mayfield was a fun loving man who recently lost faith.
Mayfield, 53, was found dead Sunday between 7:30 and 8 p.m. in his office at 1029 Gurnee Ave. in Anniston from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown.
Authorities do not suspect foul play, Brown said.
Chris Jacobs, 13-year friend and employee, said Mayfield was just like a brother to him.
Mayfield's son, Jon, 28, said his father was a loving person and a great dad.
In addition to his bail-bond business, Mayfield owned a private security company and was a candidate for sheriff of Calhoun County several times since 1998.
Before starting his bail-bond company, he served with police departments in Lincoln, Ragland and Heflin, as a deputy sheriff in Beaufort, S.C. and as a reserve deputy in Talladega County.
Mayfield continued his criminal justice education throughout most of his life, taking classes at Jacksonville State University, U.S. Customs, Beaufort Tech and through FBI-sponsored classes.
His son recalled that law enforcement was always a passion of his father's.
Mayfield also had a keen interest in hunting and fishing.
"Anytime he had the chance to get out and hunt or fish, he would," Jon said.
Jacobs said Mayfield was going through a "nasty divorce."
