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Davis Makes History As 1st Black Woman To Run Pinellas Jail

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2007

Updated: 09/18/2007 05:01 pm

LARGO - Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats made history today by appointing a black woman to run the Pinellas County Jail.

It is the first time in the history of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office that a black woman has been given the rank of major.

Alexis M. Davis

The promotion of Alexis M. Davis, who is now a captain, is effective Sept. 29. Davis will be replacing Kirk Brunner, who is retiring as of Sept. 28.

Davis, who's from Mount Vernon, Ala., was hired 25 years ago as a corrections officer and has worked her way up. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of South Alabama.

"I appreciate the confidence and support of Sheriff Jim Coats, and I look forward to working with the professional and dedicated staff under my command at the Pinellas County Jail," she said.

The jail is one of the largest of its kind in the state.

The Detention and Corrections Bureau, which Davis will run, includes more than 1,400 employees of the sheriff's office and has an annual budget of more than $131 million. The jail complex is on 52 acres in central Pinellas County and has an average daily population of more than 3,400 inmates.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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