WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Flags were flying at half-staff at the Georgia Capitol building on Wednesday as loving memories and remembrances were shared 100 miles to the south in Warner Robins, remembering the life and legacy of America's longest-serving sheriff, Houston County's Cullen Talton.
Talton died on Saturday at the age of 92 after entering hospice care earlier that week.
"We welcome you to what we consider a celebration," Rev. Jerry Walls said in his opening remarks. "We rejoice in honoring a life well lived and knowing now that he is with Jesus."
Talton was remembered during a service at Southside Baptist Church. Kindness, leadership and service were key themes echoed by speakers marking the life of Sheriff Talton.
Among members of the sheriff's office and Georgia law enforcement leaders, Gov. Brian Kemp remembered the leadership of Talton and his impact not only on Houston County but to Georgia as a whole.
"I just remember what a strong and steady presence this man was, but also as the other speakers have mentioned and as this community knows, he just had so much wisdom," Kemp said. "When you've lived for that long and not only witnessed history but been a part of it, it's no wonder his words carried so much weight with people like me who were lucky enough to be around him and know him personally."
Talton died after 13 terms in office with nearly 52 years in the office as top cop in Houston County.
As loving memories were shared, Rev. Jim Perdue took a step back to marvel at the life Talton lived.
"Sheriff Talton had 92 years on this Earth. When you say it like that — 92 years — it goes by like that," Perdue said. "92 years is a long life, a life well lived. But the Bible tells us in James, in the grand scheme of things, life is a vapor, like the fog that appears in the morning. Once the sun rises, it disappears."
But in looking back at Talton's life, Perdue says that he "packed it in" with meaningful moments and memories.
"There's no doubt that Sheriff Talton packed a lot into 92 years, serving as sheriff for 52 years, 68 years of marriage," Perdue said. "Children, grandchild, great-grandchildren, a life of public service. He made his mark."
Terry Norris, executive director of the Georgia Sheriff Association, described Talton as a selfless public serving.
"Any success that Cullen Talton ever achieved as sheriff, if he were talking to us today, he would say, 'It's because the men and women of the Houston County Sheriff's Office,'" Norris said. "I've heard him say over a million times — literally... He just wanted to help."
With his wisdom, members of the sheriff's association learned from Talton with his great years of experience, and Norris said Talton "was a leader of leaders.... He led them down the right path to do the right things."
Many people say while he was tough, at his heart, he was a kind and loyal leader.
"He was just a person bigger than life to us," Norris said. "He was a person who loved everybody but feared nobody."
Long-time sheriff's office employee, Lt, Matt Moulton, remembered Talton for his "unconditional love" and his loyalty to his employees, making his mark on the department he lead for half a century. He is running currently to replace Talton after the sheriff announced he was not seeking reelection last year.
"Sheriff Cullen Talton will never leave the Houston County Sheriff's Office, because he will reside in my heart and the men and women in blue you see from front to back," Matt Moulton said. "He will never leave the Houston County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff, I love you."
Gov. Kemp says that we could learn a lot from Talton and his commitment to Houston County.
"We celebrate that life that was a living testament to the importance of serving one's community," Kemp said.
Talton's family would then lay him to rest at Bonaire Cementary in a private ceremony.