SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sevier County Sheriff's Office is in a state of mourning. Friday morning at the Sevier County Historic Courthouse, the bell rang for five minutes from 11 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. to honor former sheriff Ronald "Hoss" Seals.
Seals was part of the Sevier Co. law enforcement for 49 years. Jeff Sims, a reserve officer with the Sevier County Sheriff's Office, said Seals and he were both friends and used to collaborate.
"He could run the jail, he could do payroll, he could patrol," Sims said. "He worked his way up from a dispatcher under Sheriff Carmen Townsend to a patrol officer, a jail administrator, Deputy Chief."
Sims described Seals as a family man who was funny and good-hearted, and at the same time as a man who tried to do things to the best of his abilities.
"He asked you a question, he probably already knew the answer. He just wanted to see if you did," Sims said. "He got state money back for state prisoners that was being hailed in the jail, and he wanted to do everything right."
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said he met Seals when they enrolled in high school and they had been friends ever since. One of his biggest characteristics was his willingness to give to the community, Waters said.
"Absolutely the life of public service and that's what he, Sheriff Seals, did his entire life," Waters said. "He became the top law enforcement official here in the county because of that love of public service and love of this county."
For the people who knew him and were close to him, the Mayor said, he spread laughter.
"He had a great personality, a great sense of humor, and just you could feel it," Waters said. "He genuinely loved people."
Now, Sevier County's official flag will fly half-staff until the day of the burial.
On Thursday, Seals' family will receive friends and family and on Friday there will be a procession in the former Sheriff's honor. Sims said Seals played an important part for elected officials and his death is a huge loss for the community.
"They all wanted to have Sheriff Seals in their corner, 'cause he was a powerful man," Sims said. "He'll never be replaced and they can tell Ron Seals', Sheriff Seals', stories 'til the end of time and never say the same one twice."