Funeral services are pending with West Oak Funeral Home for former Hopkins County Sheriff Bill Dirks. Dirks was Hopkins County’s first African American sheriff. Sheriff Dirks is remembered fondly by former deputy Henry Turner, now the Bailiff for the Hopkins County Courthouse.
Turner, who started as a jailor was invited by Sheriff’s Dirks to be a deputy. Dirks was popular with the community according to Turner, who called the former Sheriff an overall good man to work for along with being a father figure to him. Turner said Dirks held his employees to the highest levels of integrity. His sense of humor was also unique as well.
Dirks is credited by Turner with being a great influence on fellow African American officers. “He will be missed,” stated Turner.
