The Lone Star Sheriff's Image

Sheriff Keith Gary, 2nd from the left

You Can Always Learn

Behind his desk, Sheriff Keith Gary of Grayson County leans toward me and says, “You can quote me on this, I was wrong!”

 

Let me introduce you to my friend Keith Gary.

  Keith was a 5’7” former drum major in college and after graduation, an insurance agent. Somehow by fate, accident, or an act of God he found himself sporting the badge of a U.S. Marshall assigned to East Texas.

  You can call Keith a conservative. He served under Nixon but resigned rather than serve under the Carter administration. With the election of Reagan, he was reappointed. When Clinton was elected, he resigned again and was again reappointed by Bush.

  Now, truth be told, he might have been replaced or not. It doesn’t matter because he didn’t wait around to find out.

  In 1996, he was urged to run for sheriff in a county that had never elected a Republican. He ran against a long-seated incumbent and along with two other Republicans began a trend. In 2013, all 23 elected county officials will be GOP!

  The sheriff's GOP win was so unexpected that the Texas Rangers were called in to investigate!

  To say he is beloved in his county is a statement that I have found can be said for many long-serving Texas Sheriffs. Keith is a gentle-natured soul who displays courtesy and respect with the ease of a guardian angel.

  As a matter of fact, as I sit across from him in his office, attend his Rotary luncheon, or wander around with him., I am ever fascinated by his frankness as we get to know each other. I think of a younger George Burns. I want to stick a short, fat cigar in his hands and take a picture, but he is not going for it.

The G-Man Look

 

Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter

from Lone Star Reporter: 
Gary Painter was a friend to me. Over the past decade, I have visited and called on him often... sometimes for opinion and sometimes for advice. I always felt his John Wayneness. His quiet thoughtfulness, His long tall frame, His long arms that swung like a slow pendulum when he walked like a determined man. He was always determined.
After he walked away from a 50 ft. fall in a gyrocopter, he told me the next day that he would do it again if I supplied a better pilot!
You should know something about him. His is a life worthy of statues, schools, and street signs.  jb

Sheriff Gary Painter’s legacy lives on in Midland 

Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter was photographed for USA Today standing with a portrait of Sgt. Mike Naylor in the William Alders Justice Center that houses the sheriff’s office. Naylor was killed Oct. 9,

... more

HATS OFF? The when, where, and why.

Cowboy Hat Etiquette

 by J.B. Blocker

  After a long talk with Sheriff Tom Maddox of Sabine County, Texas and several other Texas Sheriffs we felt that the etiquette concerning the the Cowboy's hat needed to be clarified. Tom's grandpa gave him his first boots and hat at age 3, and he's been wearing them ever since! Thanks for additional input from Sheriffs Bob Holder of Comal County, Dan Law of Caldwell County, Don Sowell of Grimes County, Randy Brown of Medina County, and Keith Gary and the boys of Grayson County.

Grayson County Sheriff Keith Gary and his staff

  The rules aren’t complicated. Heck, I’d just suggest the use of common sense. Of course, there are plenty of folks lacking in that area. They need some guidance. 

  Here are some traditional rules for wearing a cowboy hat.