Emotions ran high at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) on Tuesday morning.

The DCSO held a dedication ceremony for former Chief Deputy Randy Pugh, who died on Dec. 14, 2017.  Pugh’s family and former co-workers attended the ceremony, where countless memories were shared on what would’ve been Pugh’s birthday.

Tammy Pugh, Pugh’s widow, said it was special to do the celebration Tuesday. Their two children, Quinton and Summer, were present.

“Randy loved the law enforcement and the community,” Tammy Pugh said. “I thank y’all for honoring Randy on his birthday.”

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum’s eyes watered and spoke in a cracked voice about Pugh, who worked at the DCSO from 1980 to 2017.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without Randy Pugh,” Granthum said. “He was someone that took me under his wing. He taught me a lot and stood by me. He said one day that I’d be Sheriff of Dallas County.”

Former Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman eventually made Pugh his second-in-command and praised his leadership.

“If I left town for any length of time, I wasn’t afraid about the sheriff’s office because I knew that Randy would always make the right decisions,” Huffman said. “I had no qualms leaving the county with Randy in charge. You could trust him.”

Former Dallas County Probate Judge Johnny Jones said he considered Pugh as an extension of his family.

“I was fortunate to work with Randy Pugh,” Jones said. “My wife Betty and I always looked at Randy and his family as part of our family. He was a great guy.”