Area Lawmen Honor Sheriff Jordan

By DEE DEE LARAMORE
Staff Writer
Pampa News
November 18, 1988




SPEARMAN -- Panhandle area lawmen gathered in the Hansford County Agriculture Building Thursday evening to honor outgoing Gray County Sheriff Rufe Jordan.

Jordan was guest of honor at the November meeting of the Panhandle Peace Officers Association, hosted by the Hansford County Sheriff's Department.

Amid a standing ovation, the state's senior sheriff was presented with plaques and awards from the Panhandle Peace Officers Association and the Sheriffs Association of Texas.

After 38 years as Gray County's high sheriff, Jordan was defeated by write-in candidate Jimmy Free in the November general election. He will be turning the badge over to Free, building superintendent for First Baptist Church and former Oklahoma police officer, on Jan. 1.

"We saw this as one of the last opportunities to let (Sheriff Jordan) know how much we respect him," said Ochiltree County Sheriff Joe Hataway. Hataway presented an award of recognition to Sheriff Jordan as a director of the Sheriff's Association of Texas.

Hansford Sheriff R.L. McFarlin of Spearman, president of the Panhandle Peace Officers Association and past president of the state sheriffs association, awarded Jordan a plaque from the local law enforcement officers group.

McFarlin said the plaque was a symbol honoring Jordan's years of service and his dedication to his job.

"Most of those who were there have known Sheriff Jordan a long time. He's a good lawman," McFarlin said. "He's a gentleman and always has been. He's a friend to everyone."

McFarlin said he first heard of Sheriff Jordan while a student in Borger. He was warned once not to go to Pampa and cause trouble, he said, because "Rufe will get ya!"

"What's a 'Rufe?','' McFarlin asked.

"I know a lot of young men who would have gone a different road if it hadn't been for Rufe Jordan," McFarlin said, admitting that the sheriff's ways were not always those written in the state's criminal code.

"I don't know who wrote the law book," McFarlin commented. "But you, as a local sheriff, should know that each situation is different and you have to handle the situation according to the individual."

"Sheriff Jordan gave us a little speech (after accepting the awards)," McFarlin said. "He was very gracious about his defeat."

"He's a gentleman," Hataway said. "I truly hated to see him lose the election. It was the times that beat Sheriff Jordan, not the man.

"I've talked to sheriffs across the state. There's 254 of them and not a one who, has been in office for at least a year does not know of Sheriff Jordan," Hataway said.

"He's respected by all the members of the DPS and he's as welcome in the governor's office as anyone I know," he added.

Captains of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers were present at the meeting Thursday, Hataway said. "The Cattle Brand Inspectors were out in force. Just about every law enforcement agency in the Panhandle was represented." Hataway said he first met Sheriff Jordan while an officer on the Amarillo Police Department in 1963. Their acquaintance grew into friendship during the 13 years Hataway was a highway patrolman in Borger and continued after he became Ochiltree County sheriff in 1980.

"He's an amazing fellow," Hataway said. "His memory is outstanding. He remembers dates and times and people's names. I can't even remember my wife's name half the time, so I call her 'Sweetheart' a lot."





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