It happened at the board of commissioners meeting after Charles Hendricks was presented a resolution for his 26 years of service, retiring as a captain at the Halifax County Detention Center.
After the resolution was presented, Hendricks called Sheriff Wes Tripp back up and presented him a small plaque and then did the same for Jail Administrator Jay Burch.
“The sheriff has always been there for me,” Hendricks said during a break in the meeting. “These guys feel like family. They’ve been just like angels.”
Hendricks said Burch trained him to do his job better. “He’s been great. It’s like he’s been part of the family. It’s been wonderful.”
Tripp’s plaque read, “In appreciation for the many things you have done for me over the years,” while Burch’s read, “It has been a pleasure working with you over the years.”
Burch was moved by the gesture. “You can’t replace someone like him. I can’t express what this means.”
Said Tripp: “It’s just the kind of person Charles is. Employees like him are few and far between.”
The resolution recognized the captain’s retirement at the end of January and notes his 26 years of service in local government, “as well as being a dedicated public servant to the citizens of Halifax County.

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Meanwhile today, the board honored the memory of late Commissioner Kenneth Brantley, who died last month, presenting a resolution to his daughter, Joanne Parrott.
Brantley served as commissioner from 1990 to 2002.
“During his tenure as an elected official, he was involved in many decisions affecting the character of the community, each time exhibiting sound judgment and concern for the education, health, safety, welfare and economic development of Halifax County and its citizens during his decision-making process.”
His daughter told the board, her father “found a home here. He and my mother fell in love with the county … He always put Halifax County first.”