Larry D Hammonds - "we were blessed"

During this election season it seems most appropriate to ask what drives an individual to run for political office. A thought to consider of equal importance is what values do we cherish in those that we vote for and work to elect? Honesty should be at the top of our list as voters, but that trait seems not to be in the action of many elected officials. Straight answers are seldom heard today from the courthouse to the White House. Most politicians struggle to address issues that require compromise, working with others, and ethics that treat everyone with respect. Character should be a value we look for in those seeking public office but it can be a difficult find. The best way to discover character is to look at the local community where an individual lives and see what they have been involved with, the activities they have participated in, and the effort they have given to serving others. Family is another key to review. Observing the work ethic of their spouse and children is a good way to determine what values they were able to see in others, their ability to make decisions and what they have been able to instill by example and relationship.
I would like to write that it is easy to find individuals to serve the public, but it is not. It is hard to find individuals that are not a part of some political machine, and most importantly that wants to serve and understands sacrificing a part of their self to make a difference for the benefit of others is a part of leadership. Finding those types of servants is difficult. Those individuals are rare, but they do exist and Larry Hammonds, Jailer of Knox County, Kentucky was one we seek to find. Larry Hammonds was a policy maker, so yes he was a politician, but his political manners came from a heart that was based on a life filled with service, respectful thoughts and considerations of others, with a genuine handshake and smile.
His decision to seek public office was a good personal decision and the residences of Knox County were well served. Larry served all the people of Knox County with dignity and he treated those incarcerated and their family with every courtesy the comes from a lifetime of seeing value in people. Credit for that leadership goes to his parents who lived and taught Christian values and credit to Larry who through his personal relationship with Jesus Christ practice Christian virtues. As a volunteer fire fighter, sacrifice and responsibility are a part of the call to duty that requires a response to help, that he answered. His commitment as a church member was witnessed by his church in his election as a Deacon at Turkey Creek Baptist Church. His friendships from childhood to adulthood earned him respect and his election as a law enforcement official serving the Office of Jailer.
Mary, thanks for sharing your husband with all of us. Jennifer and Jamirae, your father gave his very best to you, and now you have the honor of continuing his tradition by sharing his influence with your families and continuing the rich history your parents have provided to each of you. My prayer is that during this season of election we will each elect to allow Jesus to touch our lives as He did your fathers.

Until then