7 days ago
More Than a Badge: The Life and Legacy of Sheriff Gene Hermes
Caldwell, TX (FOX 44) — Besides being a veteran law enforcement officer, Sheriff Gene Hermes was a man of integrity and honor who was respected by those who worked alongside him.
Along with his passion for protecting his community, Sheriff Hermes was a big family man – according to Chief Deputy Bill Rios.
'He was a great man,' Chief Deputy Rios expressed. 'He loved his family, he loved his wife Sherri, and he loved his baby Caylee. He looked forward to her graduating from A&M, and he got to see her graduate, though it was on TV. But he did watch her graduate.'
Sheriff Hermes always reminded his deputies of three words, which Rios and his team continue to live by.
'When he hired me, he told me he goes, Bill, he goes, 'If you do things right, legal and ethical, you won't go wrong. Things will go fine for you,'' Rios said. 'And those three words have stuck with me and they will always stick with me.'
Rene Brown is a Caldwell resident who once worked with Sheriff Hermes. She says he was always connected and did his best to support the community, especially at the Chili Festival.
'I would see him in line getting a bowl of chili at a fundraiser,' Brown said. 'Even if he couldn't make it, he made sure that Sherri came and bought raffle items, raffle tickets, whatever they could do to help support.'
Brown expressed to me that when she found out the news of Sheriff Hermes passing, she cried for hours.
'I couldn't believe he lost,' Brown said. 'But he's in a better place. But I'd lie to you if I said I wasn't upset that he left us. He was definitely an awesome leader.'
The men and women who worked with Sheriff Gene Hermes are grieving the loss of a friend and mentor, and the hardest thing they will have to do is say their final farewells on Friday.
Sheriff Gene Hermes is survived by his wife Sherri and daughter Caylee. He also leaves behind a sister, brothers, nieces, nephews, and scores of brothers and sisters in blue who wear the badge…just like he did.
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