Rick Patrick, Greene Publishing, Inc.
Longtime Madison County Sheriff, Joe Peavy passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19. He was 84 years old. Peavy was born on Nov. 8, 1932 in Concord, Fl (known to many as Coon Bottom, Fl). Peavy graduated from Mt. Berry High School in 1951.
He joined the U.S. Army and served for three years with the Army Paratroopers from 1953-56. Following Peavy's discharge from the Army, he began his 16 year law enforcement career as a trooper for the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). He went straight to service as the Madison County Sheriff from the FHP when he ran unopposed for the office in 1972. He served as Madison County Sheriff until his retirement at the end of 2000.
There is a verse in the Bible that says, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends, John 15:13 (NIV). Of course, this verse speaks of literally laying one's life down for one's friends, and that is what law enforcement officers do on a daily basis, not only for their friends, but for complete strangers as well. But in looking at Peavy's life one can see a figurative parallel to this verse as well.
In speaking with family members and people with whom Peavy worked, the word “service” comes up quite often. Peavy was one who lived his life in service to the people of Madison County, his friends. “He was a 'people's sheriff',” said Derek Barrs, one of Peavy's former deputies, now serving in the FHP. “If you had a family member who passed away, he would be sure to visit you and help comfort you. He always made you feel like you were number one. He [Peavy] always took the time to get to know you.” That level of personal service with which Peavy approached his duties carried on throughout the department he managed. “He wanted the deputies to really speak to people and to know what was going on,” added Barrs. Peavy also served as a mentor for many young people who entered into the law enforcement profession. “I'll always be indebted to him for the career I've had in law enforcement,” said Barrs.
Peavy's service to the community extended beyond his badge. He was a member of the local Elk's Lodge as well as the Lions Club and the American Legion. He was also a former President of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and was on the Board of the Madison Senior Citizens Center. He was a member of the local Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner. He also served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Madison.
Peavy's approach to his job as sheriff and as an FHP trooper reflected his personal level of service. As Peavy's oldest son Robin recalled, once Peavy pulled over a young man for speeding. Instead of writing the young man a ticket, he instructed the young man to drive straight home, with Peavy following. When the young man got home, Peavy told the young man's father how fast the young man had been driving and then left. Allowing the father to discipline the young man. Peavy's daughter, Pam recalled that one of her fondest memories was the time Peavy spent with his eight grandchildren. Peavy adored all his grandchildren and bestowed cherished nicknames on each of them. Peavy's youngest son, Opie, said that his father's favorite saying was, “Everything's gonna be alright.” That certainly seems like an appropriate thought for today's times.
Peavy never wore a uniform as Sheriff, opting instead to wear khaki pants with whatever shirt was available. Peavy was also often seen in a white hat and a cigar in his mouth. The cigar was always unlit. Peavy did not carry a sidearm, but had a pistol in his wallet that could be used, if needed. He also had a unique way of publicizing the booking information for the Madison County Jail. The jail was affectionately known as the “Peavy Hilton.” The booking list was referred to as the “Peavy Hilton registration list.”
Peavy is survived by his wife, Suzanne Burnett Peavy of Madison, Fl.; two sons, Robin Peavy (Lei) of Huntsville, Al., and Opie Peavy (Paige) of Madison, Fl.; three daughters: Pam Peavy Teal (Henry) of Panama City Beach, Fl., Kimberly Ann Pridgeon of Valdosta, Ga., and Betsy Craven (Cole) of Valdosta, Ga.; one brother, Camp Peavy (Nancy) of Tallahassee, Fl.; eight grandchildren: Levi Peavy, Joy Peavy, Daniel Barrs (Jessica), Whitney Barrs Walker (Jason), Lane Peavy, J.D. Peavy, Caden Craven and Betsy Anna Craven; and three great-grandchildren: Luke Barrs, Madison Barrs, and Mason Walker.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Madison with burial following at the Cherry Lake cemetery. Family received friends from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the church before the service began.
Throughout Madison County people loved Joe Peavy, and he loved the people of Madison County.
“MC-1, 10-42.......Rest in Peace.”
Joe ran the ambulance service from 1972 until 1990. If we had a bad accident, where we needed both crew members in the back, he would jump in the driver's seat and get us to the hospital at warp speed...if you were to look into the cab, you could see the road flashing by and his trademark white hat and unlit cigar. No matter who the person was, or what time of day it was, he never, in all those years, missed responding to an ambulance call where there was a death involved, natural or foul play. That meant a lot to the families that their sheriff would personally come out and offer his condolences. He treated everyone with respect and expected the same from his officers. We were one big family and we loved and admired our leader, who always had our backs.
~ Juan Botino (Worked for 34 continuous years with Madison County EMS, 28 of those years as EMS Director)
He was my first boss who I will always be thankful for. He started me in a career that I enjoyed for many years. He loved and served the people of Madison County with great pride. He was not only my boss, he was a good friend whom I have always respected. I will miss him deeply.
~ Cathy Reams (Retired Office Administrator, Madison County Sheriff's Office)
The Sheriff gave some of us “nick names.” He would come up with some doozies and I won't embarrass anyone by listing them. But we never figured out what the reason was that he give us our “nick name.” Was it because he liked us? Or was it because we were his “problem children?”
One thing is for sure, Sheriff Peavy treated us all like we were his family. He gave us praise when we did good. And gave us a scolding when we disappointed him. We could call him any time of the day or night; whether it was big or small he expected us to keep him in the know when something was happening in his county.
He loved his job and everyone who lived in Madison County, with all his heart.
I will forever be grateful for Sheriff Peavy giving me a chance to become a member of his work family back in 1986; a time when women weren't working much in law enforcement. It changed my life forever!
You’re 10-42 Sheriff Peavy! Thank you for your service. Job well done!
~ Sharon Shadrick (Reserve Lt., 28 years of service)
Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to our military, our state, and especially Madison County. You will always be remembered for your mentoring, guidance, and leadership as it has affected me and all of the other Law Enforcement Officers that served under you as Sheriff as well as the Florida Highway Patrol. You will be missed but not forgotten.
Semper Fi
~ Ben Stewart (Sheriff of Madison County)
Thank you, Sheriff Peavy. Thank you, for having faith in me. Thank you, for allowing me to be one of your deputies. Thank you for teaching me a whole lot about life, and for the wonderful memories. You will always be, The Sheriff, to me.
~ Danny Plain (Deputy Sheriff 1991-1997)
In 1971 I accepted a position here in Madison to become the juvenile probation officer (JPO). This coming Friday, will be 45 years to the day since Kay and I first came to Madison to look for a place to live. It was very difficult trying to find a place to live at that time and Joe Peavy was the first person I met.
Since that time Joe has been truly one of the best friends that I ever had, even though we, at times, had our differences. There was never an individual in this county who I enjoyed working with more. I can truly say that I would not have enjoyed the wonderful community relations in this community, that I've had over the past 45 years, had it not been for Joe Peavy.
There are few people that I can strongly say always had my back in good times and bad; Joe Peavy was one of them. Joe was like a father figure and an uncle to me.
For 18 years I enjoyed serving on the Sheriff’s Reserve Unit. In 1980, the Sheriff asked me to be the escort for the Madison High School Band! I have many great memories!
During the 80s and 90s , when JPOs were required to transport arrested juveniles to and from detention in Tallahassee in their personal vehicles, the Sheriff provided me with a secure patrol car to transport them in. We were the only county in Florida to be afforded that honor! That's the kind of friend he was!
RIP my friend!
~ Alston Kelley (County Commissioner District 1)
