Retired Chief Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Griffin dies

The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday with “deep sadness” the death of retired Chief Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Griffin.

Griffin died Monday. A cause of death was not given. He was 73 years old.

A Vietnam veteran, Griffin went on to spend a lifetime in law enforcement. He served in the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office for more than 40 years in a wide variety of roles.

He began as a county police officer before entering the sheriff’s office as a deputy in 1968. After six years, he was promoted to investigator while pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

Griffin was promoted to Investigator II, lieutenant and then to captain. He served as a captain for 16 years before being promoted again to chief deputy. He retired briefly, then worked as a bailiff until 2015.

“I think he had a great love for the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Donna Thompkins at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

“He was a pioneer,” recalled Chief Deputy Troy Culpepper. “It’s unusual to have an individual whose career spans every change that law enforcement has gone through over 40 years. He was an iconic individual.”

“He was a total professional at all times,” added Maj. Mike Massey. “He was very dedicated to his oath of office, to his county, to his country. Just through his years of service, you can tell where his heart was. And right through that was his family.”

The funeral is Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Golden Acres Baptist Church in Phenix City.

The internment will follow at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Alabama.

This story was originally published June 27, 2017 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Retired Chief Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Griffin dies."