Former sheriff Everett Pearsall dies at 73
A legend in local law enforcement known as one of the last old-time sheriffs in Warren County, Everett Pearsall has passed away at the age of 73.
“I think they based the character of Andy Griffith on my dad,” said Pearsall’s son, Trent Pearsall. “He was probably 135 pounds soaking wet but he could bring them off the mountain when no one else could. He would tell them he’d be as nice to them as they’d let him be. I think just about everyone in Warren County has their own story about my dad.”
Pearsall served five terms as sheriff back when terms ran two years. He first served from 1964-68 and then again from 1972-78. Prior to that time, he served as deputy under Sheriff Doc Grissom from 1960-64. He also served a stint as a prison guard during his law enforcement career. He was named to Who’s Who in Law Enforcement on three occasions and was conferred the Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year. He was also a longtime member of the Sheriff’s Association.
Following his terms as sheriff, Pearsall became a landscaper and most recently ran a produce market in Mt. Leo.
His family said he was very proud of being self-educated since he was unable to complete school due to the fact he had to work growing up. On one occasion, Pearsall sent off for a fingerprint kit and learned the art of fingerprinting on his own, a skill he later used in investigations as sheriff. He went on to earn his GED at age 65.
Sheriff Jackie Matheny pointed out Pearsall served as sheriff when there was little money to aid law enforcement, meaning he often had to do the job on his own.
“He was a great sheriff and a tireless worker back when the department really had nothing to operate on,” said Matheny, who was challenged twice by Pearsall in recent campaigns for sheriff. “Back during the last election, we were opponents but he told me I could put a campaign sign up at his market in Mt. Leo. That’s just the kind of guy he was.”
Matheny pointed out Pearsall was known for his toughness in a time when the Warren County frontier was somewhat untamed.
“He’s the kind of guy who could go bear hunting with a switch,” Matheny said. “He was probably the toughest guy the county has ever seen. If he came to get you, you were going to jail.”
McMinnville Police Chief Joe Melton said Pearsall continued helping law enforcement even after his time as sheriff.
“He was a real good sheriff but his involvement in law enforcement didn’t end after he was out of office,” Melton said. “There’s been several times we’ve went to him about things and he’s always been real good about helping. There wasn’t much went on in Warren County that Everett didn’t know about.”
Melton noted Pearsall was the first sheriff to serve in the present jail. Before it was built in the 1960s, the jail was located off South Chancery Street. In the early days of the present jail, both city and county law enforcement agencies shared office space there.