2025 – In 1983, Blakely was elected as Sheriff of Limestone County. The vehicles used for patrol needed to be replaced and the county did not have the funds allotted in his budget. He knew he would have to be creative and figure out a way toraise funds if he was going to purchase patrol vehicles. This is when the vision became a reality. A rodeo promoter, Preston Fowlkes Jr. of Lone Star Rodeo Company, contacted Blakely about locating a sponsor for a community rodeo and from there the annual tradition began. Today, we celebrate 43 years of fundraising from a fun-filled community event called the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo. This event continues to be recognized on the national level as one of the best outdoor rodeo events east of the Mississippi River.
Mike Blakely was born in Limestone County and grew up on a family farm in the Pleasant Grove community, where he resides today. He was married to Debbie McElyea Blakely, and they have one son, Andy Blakely (wife Dawn Cosby Blakely); two grandsons, Ben Blakely and Luke Johnson (wife Holland Ricks Johnson) and one great-granddaughter, Hattie Jo Johnson. Blakely served in US Marine Corps and Army National Guard. He began his career in law enforcement as an Alabama State Trooper until he was elected Sheriff. His love of service and country can be seen from his decades of service. In 2021 when he left office, he was the longest serving Sheriff in Alabama.
Blakely’s love for horses has been photographed throughout the last four decades. He spends almost every Sundayriding trails on horseback with friends – sun, rain, sleet, or snow. His closest companion however would be his dog, Shadow. He would be the first to tell you, a dog is “man’s best friend”. He and Shadow have travelled many miles together and if that dog could talk, well let’s just say thank goodness he cannot!
Blakely is the cowboy hat, blue jeans, rodeo buckle, cowboy boots wearing country guy who never forgot his raising. His conversations always begin with “Son” or “Hon”, and he does not worry if it is politically correct. It is who he is and for those who have had the pleasure of working or being able to call him friend, we would not have it any other way. Mike Blakely. He is solely responsible for what we all know as the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo.
In conclusion, the nomination for this year’s Hall of Fame recipient was met with a unanimous decision for honoring Mike Blakely. He is solely responsible for what we all know as the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo.
2024 – We proudly recognize Lieutenant Allen Craig as the recipient of the 2024 Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Hall of Fame. Allen Craig is one of the founding members of the Sheriff’s Rodeo. He has worked for 41 years at the Annual Sheriff’s Rodeo. Allen was an active member of the former Limestone Sheriff’s Reserve, where the idea of having an annual rodeo as a fundraiser began. He and Sheriff Blakely shared a love for rodeos and horseback riding, and from this grew an opportunity to host what was once a Fraternal Order of Police fundraiser to a Sheriff’s Reserve Rodeo. After a few years, the Reserve members moved the event to the Jaycee’s Fairgrounds on Hwy 99. They later purchased the property, which is now the home of the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, Training Center, and Firing Range. Allen has worked countless hours to make this property what it is today.
Allen has passed on his passion for law enforcement, rodeo, and horses to his family. His son, Danny Craig, is the current Patrol Captain at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and he shares his father’s love of the rodeo. His grandchildren have ridden alongside him in multiple parades and in the rodeo entry on performance nights, as they to share his love for the sport. Allen has never turned down a request to bring horses or ponies to an event for children to ride. He has always been willing to provide horses and his time to help put a smile on a child’s face who has gotten to ride a horse or pony for the first time. Allen joined the Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy in 1983 and dedicated many unpaid hours to serve the citizens of Limestone County. He was hired as a Patrol Deputy in 1990 and through the years was promoted to Sergeant and Lieutenant, where he retired as supervisor of Courthouse Security. Including his time as a reserve, he served the citizens of Limestone County for 33 years. The success of the rodeo for the last 42 years would not have been possible without the dedication of an individual like Allen Craig. Even after his retirement in 2016, he has continued to volunteer at the rodeo. On behalf of the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Committee, it is with great honor we recognize his dedication and commitment.
2023 – Erin Moran is the first inductee into the LCSR Hall of Fame. Erin has been instrumental in making the rodeo successful throughout the last 25 years while being employed at the Sheriff’s Office.
She has volunteered in almost all areas of the rodeo, which makes it difficult to list her accomplishments. From feeding the cowboys to helping with luncheons, aiding the rodeo company, selling advertisements, assisting with concessions, overseeing the Exceptional Needs Rodeo, and doing whatever has ever been asked, she has done it.
Erin is an all-around asset who believed in creating a successful family event and did so with dedication and hard work. Thank you, Erin, for your tireless commitment and loyalty to making a difference and helping raise funds for local law enforcement.
Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo 