Sheriff Ricky Adam is a lifelong resident of Hancock County.  The son of Clayton R. Adam Sr. and Carolyn Ladner Adam, Sheriff Adam siblings consist of five (5) brothers and three (3) sisters.  Sheriff Adam is married and the proud parent of three (3) sons and two (2) daughters.
A graduate from Bay High School and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College receiving an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.  
For years, Sheriff Adam was a Real Estate Agent on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Prior to being elected Sheriff, he served for ten (10) years as an elected Hancock County Justice Court Judge.  As a Justice Court Judge, he had jurisdiction over small claims civil cases involving amounts of $3,500 or less, misdemeanor criminal cases and any traffic offense.  In addition, he conducted bond hearings and preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases and issued search warrants. In conjunction with his judicial duties, Sheriff Adam completed over 200 hours of continuing education with the Mississippi Judicial College, Oxford, MS.
As a Justice Court Judge, Sheriff Adam was in a reactionary role addressing criminal and civil issues within his beloved community.  Sheriff Adam was elected in November 2011 as Hancock County Sheriff, Sheriff Adam was sworn in to his position in January 2012.  Being the Chief Law Enforcement Executive for the county, Sheriff Adam assumed a proactive role in fighting crime responsible for an estimated $7,000,000.00 budget with approximately 161 sworn employees to protect and serve an area approximately 553 square miles with an estimated population of 45,000 residents.   Undertaking this task, Sheriff Adam reconstructed his administration with highly qualified and experienced law enforcement administrators which is evident by the drastic reduction in crime in the county as well as attaining accreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA) for the Hancock County Adult Detention Center. The HCADC received a score of 100 proving compliance with all National Standards for a facility of this size. Leading his office from the newly constructed, state of the art Hancock County Public Service Complex, Sheriff Adam has raised the benchmark of his office to a recognized standard of honesty, professionalism and integrity for all his personnel.