Former Warren County Sheriff Paul Lamar Barrett of Vicksburg passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at the age of 88 at River Region Medical Center.

He was born in Leake County April 23, 1926, and moved to Vicksburg as a young man, where he spent his entire life focused on his passion for law enforcement.

He held a number of positions with the Vicksburg Police Department, including motorcycle officer, detective, and chief detective before moving to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as deputy sheriff, chief deputy, detective, and finally sheriff.  He was re-elected sheriff of Warren County for six consecutive terms, spending a total of 27 years in that position.

He was known and respected statewide for his expertise in the field, and held several offices within the Mississippi Sheriff’s Association. He worked with a statewide group of sheriffs who were able to successfully push for legislation resulting in the separation of the sheriff’s and tax collector’s offices while allowing for succession in both.  He was instrumental in forming the Sheriff’s Boys and Girls Ranch, which helped many children who had been separated from their families, and always made it a point to try and ensure every child in Warren county received at least one small present for Christmas using money from his own pocket.

He was the subject of a book written by Gerald Smith Jr. entitled “Don’t Bring Trouble to My County.”

He loved his family, his friends, his county, and the people in it.  He was a true leader of people and inspired the respect of many.  R.I.P. Dad.  We all love you and miss you.

Paul is survived by his wife of 64 years, Juanita; four sisters, Ritha Tanner and Mary Stokes, both of Vicksburg, and Dorothy Eagle and Bertha Crist of Las Vegas; one brother, Jesse Barrett of Vicksburg; son, Mike Barrett (Jane) of Shreveport, La.; three grandchildren, Tiffany Newman (Eric) of Shreveport, Jennifer Pope (Eric) of Alexandria, La., and Michael Barrett Jr. (Crystal) of Baton Rouge, La.; and six great-grandchildren, Shelby Newman, Tyler Pope, Barrett Newman, Emily Pope, Colby Pope, and Jackson Barrett; along with nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Doc, James, Charles, and Alvin; and one sister, Lois.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 5 2014, at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg.  Services will be at 2 p.m. following the visitation with the Rev. Ron Burch officiating. Burial service will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Billy Joe Heggins, Ford Emery, Jessie Tilley, Chris Williams, Vincent Woods and Jonathan Hern.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sheriff Martin Pace and retired and current deputies and employees of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department

The family requests memorials be sent to Trinity Baptist Church on 3365 Porters Chapel Rd., Vicksburg, MS 39180.