HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — Our nation's longest serving sheriff will be buried today; one week after his 92nd birthday.
Sheriff Cullen Talton served Houston County for more than half a century; he died on Saturday morning on Oct. 19 in his 13th and final term.
Elected in 1972, he worked alongside every law enforcement agency in his county and adapted to several changes during his 52-year tenure.
"He was a larger-than-life person but presented himself as a gentle giant," Warner Robins Police Chief Wayne Fisher said.
Fisher recalls the sheriff's "commanding presence" upon entering a room, but his humility is his role was much more prominent.
"His style of management was, 'I give you what you need, I'll let you do your job, and I expect you to do your job," Perry Police Chief Alan Everidge said.
Everidge expressed gratitude for the sheriff's guidance and companionship during their time together as law enforcement leaders.
"His legacy was left as build up your department and put them in places where they'll do their best," Centerville Police Chief Cedric Duncan said.
Duncan holds the sheriff in high regard for his utmost support to his department.
"We've been blessed with his consistency of leadership within the community itself," Fisher said.
Every police chief in Houston County echoed their admiration for the late sheriff's leadership.
"He reminded us on a regular basis that it's we work for the people," Everidge emphasized.
They recalled how Talton adapted to several changes in Houston during his tenure, from technological changes to the growing population.
"Mobile data terminals in cars, electronic printers, to flock cameras-- just everything you can imagine, and he was able to adapt," Everidge said.
Because Talton could adapt quickly, the head of each law enforcement agency in Houston commended him for the changes he brought.
"When you made a call, you'd say, 'I live beside so and so,' and that's how the officers found you," Duncan said. "Now, we have the 911 center, which tells you exactly where you need to go, turn by turn. In his time, he's seen a lot of change."
"When he became the sheriff, coming through, you can just see the evolution of the county for growth," Fisher said.
All three chiefs said no one in Houston County or the United States may ever come close to Talton's legacy in law enforcement.
"He always gave credit to the people who worked for him; whenever he was talked about or received an award, he always said, 'Well, it's because I had good people,'" Everidge recalled.
"He always said, 'It's not me, it's my department, it's the people who made me who I am," Duncan remembered.
"He treated everybody with dignity, respect and kindness," Fisher said.
Every police chief said the humility Talton held in his role is something we can learn from.
The sheriff's funeral happens this morning at 11 a.m. at South Side Baptist Church.
Afterward, Talton's family is holding a private burial service where he will be laid to rest at the Bonaire Cemetary.
If you can't make it to the funeral, you can watch the service live on the 13WMAZ+ app.