Former Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell laid to rest
Former Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell was laid to rest Friday at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Rusk.
'Sheriff Campbell was a true public servant and devoted his life to his community and family. Though he is no longer with us, Sheriff Campbell has left a permanent mark on both civilians and law enforcement officers that will continue to guide and inspire us,' Sheriff Brent Dickson said in a prepared statement Tuesday, announcing Campbell's death. 'Sheriff Campbell will be deeply missed, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.'
Campbell, 81, dedicated his life to law enforcement. His career spanned 54 years, ending with his retirement in 2020.
He began his career as a highway patrolman for the Texas Department of Public Safety and served a short term as Rusk City Manager before becoming Cherokee County Sheriff, a position he held for 26 years.
'Sheriff James Campbell was one of the kindest men I have ever known,' Jacksonville Mayor Randy Gorham said. 'During his tenure, he always took great care of the county as sheriff, and did so with the utmost professionalism and integrity. I am confident his legacy will continue to carry on through the officers that he trained and worked with. He was just simply a great man.'
Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis worked with Campbell for nearly 30 years.
'When I started as justice of the peace back in 1993 he was still on the highway patrol. His integrity shined in everything he did,' Davis said.
Davis recounted an event that exemplified Campbell's character.
'I was doing arraignments at the jail one morning when James was still a highway patrolman. He had arrested a young man for being intoxicated and was filling out all the paperwork to book him in,' Davis said. 'After he finished doing his work, he sat down next to the young man and told him that he couldn't continue drinking and running wild. He wrote his phone number on the back of his card and told the boy to call him if he ever needed to talk or if he could help him in any way.'
Davis said that small act of love still warms his heart when he thinks of his friend.
'Not long after that he was appointed sheriff of Cherokee County and I couldn't have been any prouder," Davis said. "He served in that position for 26 years and was the longest serving sheriff in the history of our County.
'I worked with him all of those 26 years as Justice of the Peace and county judge and I can never remember us having a cross word. I picked at him, I aggravated him and pulled all kinds of tricks on him, but we were always friends. James loved his family, his friends, Cherokee County, and his Lord with all with all his heart. He always gave his best in whatever role he played. The legacy he leaves behind in Cherokee County is something that will live on for many years to come.
'I miss my friend.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Machetes and swords get the chop as new laws begin
Owners of machetes or swords have three months to surrender their weapons as another state falls into line with an Australia-wide crackdown on dangerous knives. The surrender of the blades, to be classified as prohibited weapons, takes effect in South Australia from July. They can be handed in anonymously until the end of September following the passage of tough new laws after a spate of stabbings in neighbouring Victoria. The SA move also comes after Victoria, NSW, Queensland and WA all introduced tough laws in recent months in a bid to combat the growing number of knife crimes. Along with the ban on machetes and swords, the SA government is raising the purchase age for all dangerous knives from 16 to 18. "We have acted swiftly and decisively in response to incidents interstate to prepare the strongest laws in the country to protect our community from the menace of knife crime," said Attorney-General Kyam Maher on Sunday. "We haven't gotten to that stage in South Australia with some of these incidents ... interstate but that's the exact point of passing these sorts of laws to make sure we don't get to that point." Those who break the new laws from Tuesday face up to two years in jail or a $20,000 fine. The laws also expand offences around the possession of knives and offensive weapons at schools, childcare centres, universities and places of worship. They build on a previous efforts to give police stronger powers to conduct metal detector searches at shopping centres or public transport stations. Assistant Police Commissioner Narelle Kameniar said knife crime was a national problem that needed to be tackled collectively. "It (knife crime) is not unique to South is of concern to us," she told reporters. "We've seen a number of incidents occur interstate as well so there's lots of jurisdictions bringing in legislation in relation to knife crime." Almost a quarter of all homicide victims nationwide in 2023 involved the wielding of a knife - about 100 victims in total. Ms Kameniar said concerns around weapon possession extended across adults and youth alike but she was optimistic new restrictions would help rein in the number of young people carrying bladed weapons. Particular exemptions for collector items or religious purposes, such as samurai swords, are written into the laws.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Search for possible drowning victim at Lake Lewisville suspended, will resume Sunday
Authorities suspended the search late Saturday for a 26-year-old man who went underwater and did not resurface near Pier 121 Marina on Lewisville Lake. The initial 911 call reporting a possible drowning was received around 7:45 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the city of Lewisville. The Lewisville Fire Department's dive team and Texas Game Wardens responded to the scene. Divers focused on a specific location in the lake, while a rescue boat remained active in the area. "Crews will return to the area tomorrow (Sunday) morning," said city spokesperson Matt Martucci. "No time has been set as of yet." CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
SWAT investigation in Galt prompts road closures
( — The Galt Police Department is advising the public about a heavy law enforcement presence as it searches for a suspect in a crime. Around 8 a.m., GPD responded to the 400 Block of N. Lincoln Way for an 'active incident.' Police closed down Lincoln Way and Elm Avenue to Simmerhorn Road for several hours as a SWAT team investigated. Sacramento deputies arrest suspect accused of two separate stabbing incidents It is unclear what prompted the investigation. However, GPD advised the public to avoid the area. Nearly four hours later, a male suspect was arrested and the roadways were reopened. For updates, click or tap here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
