Today I traveled from my home near Muscle Shoals, Ala. to attend the funeral service for retired Bradley County Deputy Brian McAmis. I need to be upfront in saying I use to work with Deputy McAmis so I'm probably a bit bias in my opinion of he and the Sheriff's Office there in Bradley County. Brian and I were both deputies with Bradley County and for a while we were both assigned to the downtown courthouse.
Today I watched as hundreds gathered in Cleveland. The speakers spoke of a man who loved his family, his community, his sports, and his job. They spoke of the pride he had to be able to protect judges and how grateful he was that judges even asked for him to be on their detail. They spoke of the quick wit of a man that was always ready to joke around, always was ready to laugh with you, and was always ready to brighten your day.
This was no ordinary funeral. Sure, there were tears. But the memories shared by friends and colleagues brought more smiles and laughs than tears. That's the way Brian would have wanted it.
Today, I watched as members of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office and Cleveland Police Department Honor Guards stood watch over a casket. I watched as leaders of the community came by to pay their respects. I sat in a chapel where former inmates even gathered to honor Brian, a deputy who had once served as a corrections officer, for the respect he had shown to everyone. I sat there as Sheriff Eric Watson paid tribute, and did "Last Call" for a retired deputy. And though I didn't go to the graveside due to another commitment, I saw photos where the Bradley County and Cleveland City Fire Departments paid tribute.
Today, as always, I was proud to have once lived and worked in Bradley County and it is days like today that makes me miss living in a town like Cleveland. With all the turmoil going on in the world today and how it seems like everyone is against law enforcement at times, today I saw a community come together to show respect to a man that had cared for them. They showed respect to the man who had coached little league football, the one who loved his Bradley Bears, the one who adored his children, and the one who protected and served.
So tonight I want to thank Bradley County, the Sheriff's Office, the city of Cleveland, and Sheriff Eric Watson and his staff for showing such great honor and giving a great tribute to Brian McAmis. Great job to you all.
Rev. Nathan Headrick
Former Deputy