Mark Stephen Persall, 73, of Vinemont, Alabama, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024. Born on November 8, 1951, in Wadsworth, Ohio, Mark dedicated his life to service, family, and community.
With a law enforcement career spanning over 40 years, Mark served more than 30 years with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, including as Patrol Division Commander, and eight years as a captain with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. He led initiatives in SWAT, mental health crisis management, and technology programs. In Birmingham, he organized and oversaw a multi-jurisdiction gang and crime suppression taskforce. While in Cullman, he took a great interest in giving back to his community, overseeing most of the Sheriff’s office’s community programs and organizing a church safety curriculum. In 1998, he was recognized by then President Bill Clinton for his work on tornado relief in Birmingham. Both of his sons, Sean and Nathan, proudly followed his path in law enforcement.
Mark was a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet and earned a criminal justice degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed advanced training at the FBI National Police Academy. His honors included the Optimist Club’s Police Officer of the Year award.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Mark is survived by his wife, Amy; children Sean, Nathan, and Lauren; grandsons Coleton and Hunter; and sisters Rosemary and Janet. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Lessie, and his former wife, Barabara Gail Persall. He enjoyed lake life, grilling, playing guitar, and creating cherished memories with loved ones.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 2 p.m., with visitation from 12-2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of his service and community dedication.
