Longtime sheriff’s deputy and bailiff ‘did more in one life than most would do in five’

When Rich wasn’t working, he traveled with his horse to Civil War reenactments and took care of his small farm that was home to multiple horses, dogs and a miniature donkey.

“He did more in one life than most would do in five,” said Larry Rich, his nephew.

Rich was known for as a jokester with an ability to talk to anyone.

“He played jokes on me my entire life,” said Larry Rich, who noted he travelled with his uncle from an early age to musket-shooting events and encampments.

Larry Rich said he and his uncle attended several Civil War anniversary battle reenactments. Rich would serve where needed during the reenactments — Union or Confederate.

Rich worked in the civil department of the sheriff’s office for years serving civil papers. Larry Rich said he referred to himself as the “paper boy” while doing that job.

In 2000, Rich was already a fixture on the sheriff’s mounted patrol unit that does crowd control at special events when he learned that Sheriff Richard Jones wanted to establish a military caisson to honor those fallen members and families of law enforcement as well as those in military service or distinguished community members.

“I had the donations, the money was there, but I couldn’t find one,” Jones said. “Joe said he had a guy down south who made caissons for Civil War reenactments using blue prints from the Civil War. And that is where we got. If it wasn’t for Joe, there wouldn’t have been a caisson.”

Rich was an animal lover and had horses most of his adult life. Jones said at times he would ride with Rich.

“He is a brave man. Could handle a horse like you wouldn’t believe. I am little afraid of the them. Watched a horse pull up on him then fall on Joe. He got right back on,” Jones said.

The sheriff said Rich used his good nature to handle just about anything he came up against.

“He could talk anybody out of fighting, didn’t matter how bad they were,” Jones said.

Rich is survived by six children, 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. His wife, Freda, preceeded him in death.

He was carried to his final resting place on Jan. 10 by the caisson he was instrumental in getting for the sheriff’s office.

“It was very fitting,” Jones said.