This gives me hope......
Sheriff Hege Under Fire - Winston-Salem Journal
I moved to Valdosta in 1998 from Greensboro NC which is just north of Davidson County. I worked with poor HIV positive folks who lived in this county and the word was out that Sheriff Hege was not someone to mess with because he got away with whatever he wanted to. For years this guy was untouchable and the newspapers, local TV and even national media loved this guy. No one would cross him and he strutted around like a cowboy, painting the jail pink, making prisoners wear bulky striped uniforms and even tried to revive the damn chain gang. Say hello to old friends when you get to prison, sure some will be looking forward to you coming.
Note to the local Sheriffs: power only last so long.