Trowbridge will be sorely missed

BY: B. Keith Plunkett

Sheriff Toby Trowbridge

The news broke yesterday morning. I'll admit it was quite a shock to me that Madison County Sheriff Toby Trowbridge would not seek re-election this year. Those who have known the Sheriff since his youth have said that he was destined for this job. I've even been told he would sometimes dress as a law enforcement officer for Halloween in his younger days. His dedication to law and order and the brotherhood of officers that do that job well is unwavering.

The dealings I have had with the Sheriff over the course of my time living and working in Madison County have been extremely pleasant. His committment to his job sets the bar high for the person that will step into his shoes in 2012. He is well liked by his officers, and with 70 percent of the vote in the last elections, it is pretty obvious he is respected by the voters of Madison County. If current Census estimates are correct, Madison County has seen an increase in population of 24.7 percent in the past 10 years. Despite that phenomenal growth, and despite the county's close proximity to Jackson, crime has remained low. That's because of Trowbridge's leadership.

He has had a great working relationship with the Board of Supervisors during a time when the board has seen a great deal of political and managerial upheaval. His ethics are without reproach. A welcome thing following the way former Sheriff Jessie Hopkins left office.

The Sheriff and his wife Jenny are hard working and dedicated to their community and their church. In the past Jenny has given her time and efforts towards numerous causes. She is a previous director of the Flora Area Chamber of Commerce, and has recently giver her time to organize and promote the "Don't Forget Your Child" campaign. DFYC has been helpful in reminding busy adults not to leave their children behind in vehicles during the sweltering Mississippi heat. (Yes, apparently we have become that busy.) I have had the priviledge of witnessing their generosity at the Trowbridge home during a church event sponsored by she and Toby for the youth at Damascus Baptist Church where they open their home and their hearts frequently. The care they show is not about public relations.

Sheriff Trowbridge has never really quite cared much for being the celebrated center of attention, putting the work first. The media has never had an easy time getting anything more out of him than he thought he should give to inform without jeapordizing his officers or the cases they were working. When the blood began to swirl in the water over the ACLU and boycotts from black residents over profiling and roadblocks a few years ago, he simply said it wasn't up for debate and continued to do his job. His leadership has been calm and steady. We can only hope the next Sheriff has half his demeanor.

So, Toby is leaving the job. I am surprised. But, I would be willing to bet that he certainly will not be giving up on the good things he and his wife do for Madison County and the Flora community. His dedication to protect and serve runs too deep for that.