As I'm sure most of you have heard, Andy Griffith died Tuesday July 3rd. On Facebook, News 14 Carolina posted the following release from his family:
Andy Griffith passed away, after an illness, during the early morning on July 3 at his home in Manteo, N.C., with his wife Cindi at his side. He was 86 years old.
Mr. Griffith has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island. His favorite causes were Outer Banks Conservationists and the Griffith Scholarship Fund at UNC-Chapel Hill.
His wife Cindi said this:
“Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord. He is the love of my life, my constant companion, my partner, and my best friend. I cannot imagine life without Andy, but I take comfort and strength in God’s Grace and in the knowledge that Andy is at peace and with God.”
This tribute from his widow testifies that the man bore remarkable similarities to the character he portrayed on television. We should miss them both.
We will miss Andy Griffith for the entertainment he provided -- clean, moral and uplifting. We will grieve for the loss of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his brand of law enforcement that seems to be rapidly disappearing from our land.
Sheriff Taylor was more interested in the intent of the law -- peace and order for the citizens of Mayberry -- than in the literal, mindless enforcement of bureaucratic regulations. More than once he put the brakes on Deputy Barney Fife's schemes to over-regulate the friends and neighbors who peopled their town.
Barney was a lovable character, and his ineptness led most of his schemes to come to naught. The insecurity that motivated his plans gave those of us who watched a sense of empathy for him.
Let's not forget, though, that it was Sheriff Andy who kept Barney from going off on his tyrannical tangents. The deputy derived his heart and his mission from the sheriff.
But many in present-day American law enforcement have adopted Barney's mindset and approach, and I find it anything but lovable. They need men in charge who, like Sheriff Taylor will check the police state tactics of the Deputy Fifes out there, and who will challenge them to function in terms of what's right as much as what's written in the code books.
Andy Griffith, we mourn your passing. Sheriff Taylor, we grieve at the loss of your compassion and common sense.
May you both rest in peace. May your memory serve to revive something that all too frequently absents itself from law enforcement today.
Andy Griffith passed away, after an illness, during the early morning on July 3 at his home in Manteo, N.C., with his wife Cindi at his side. He was 86 years old.
Mr. Griffith has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island. His favorite causes were Outer Banks Conservationists and the Griffith Scholarship Fund at UNC-Chapel Hill.
His wife Cindi said this:
“Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord. He is the love of my life, my constant companion, my partner, and my best friend. I cannot imagine life without Andy, but I take comfort and strength in God’s Grace and in the knowledge that Andy is at peace and with God.”
This tribute from his widow testifies that the man bore remarkable similarities to the character he portrayed on television. We should miss them both.
We will miss Andy Griffith for the entertainment he provided -- clean, moral and uplifting. We will grieve for the loss of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his brand of law enforcement that seems to be rapidly disappearing from our land.
Sheriff Taylor was more interested in the intent of the law -- peace and order for the citizens of Mayberry -- than in the literal, mindless enforcement of bureaucratic regulations. More than once he put the brakes on Deputy Barney Fife's schemes to over-regulate the friends and neighbors who peopled their town.
Barney was a lovable character, and his ineptness led most of his schemes to come to naught. The insecurity that motivated his plans gave those of us who watched a sense of empathy for him.
Let's not forget, though, that it was Sheriff Andy who kept Barney from going off on his tyrannical tangents. The deputy derived his heart and his mission from the sheriff.
But many in present-day American law enforcement have adopted Barney's mindset and approach, and I find it anything but lovable. They need men in charge who, like Sheriff Taylor will check the police state tactics of the Deputy Fifes out there, and who will challenge them to function in terms of what's right as much as what's written in the code books.
Andy Griffith, we mourn your passing. Sheriff Taylor, we grieve at the loss of your compassion and common sense.
May you both rest in peace. May your memory serve to revive something that all too frequently absents itself from law enforcement today.
I have never seen the show, but I think similarly to your expressed sentiments.
ReplyDeleteYou can see some episodes here.
Deletehttp://www.tvland.com/shows/andy-griffith-show/full-episodes/the-loaded-goat
Hope you enjoy.
The funniest one was where Barney got in the Moonshine barrel accidentally.
Delete