SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — A memorial outside of the Sumner County Sheriff's office is growing. It's meant to honor Sheriff Sonny Weatherford, who passed away on Friday. Many have placed flowers, letters and more atop an SUV outside the Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Weatherford was at a conference in Gatlinburg when he fell and hit his head, causing a brain bleed that led to his death this week.
In a statement, the Weatherford family said they are grief-stricken, but they take comfort in knowing the Sheriff left behind a "beautiful legacy."
"It's just an emotional time right now," said Ken Weidner, the director for Sumner County Emergency Management and one of Sonny's best friends.
"When we're working something big, we'd be at severe weather, a tornado, missing person, drowning, he'd text me and say, 'are you good?' or 'you need anything?'"
"I always felt like...I could depend on him, call him when I needed him," added Gallatin police chief Don Bandy, who called Sonny a longtime mentor.
Another close friend, and the Gallatin police assistant chief, Bill Sorrells, said Sonny filled a void in his life and is someone who can never be replaced.
"[I want to] take care of his family any way we can, make sure his legacy is remembered, and make sure that the people that come in law enforcement now...we pass on the things that he taught us, we pass those on to other people," said Sorrells. "That's the best way to keep that legacy alive."
His service to the community spanned several decades. Chief Eric Craddock is now in charge until a new Sheriff is decided.
The Sheriff's body was escorted back to Sumner County Friday night. The Weatherfords said, "We especially want to thank every agency who assisted us in bringing him home. It was a homecoming we could not have given him alone. Special thanks to our extended family at the Sumner County Sheriff's Office for walking beside us in every way possible."
They also shared the funeral will be Friday, August 9 at the Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville at noon. Following the service, he will be buried at the Crestview Memory Gardens with Sumner County Sheriff's Deputies serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m, and again Friday starting at 11 a.m. until the funeral service starts.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in honor of Sheriff Weatherford to Alzheimer's Tennessee. The Sheriff donated to the organization every year in honor of his mother.
It's truly the small things that add up to a great day - and Warrick in Lebanon is having a big impact. His familiar face is becoming a staple in one part of the community and inspiring closer connection in the simplest way. Enjoy his warm personality! You may even feel inclined to wave to a stranger today, too.
-Rebecca Schleicher
