Staff Writer

Lsenn@CalhounTimes.com

Tom Owens’ family and friends are seated on the plush green chairs of the Gordon County Sheriff’s office training room. Pictures of Owens line the wall and he sits smiling as his colleagues shake his hands and retell old stories of Owens’ younger days.

Owens retired last week after 20 years of service as a deputy with the Gordon County Sheriff’s de-partment.

“Tom is an excellent officer and has been an asset to this department,” said Sheriff Mitch Ral-ston. “The community has loved him and respected his position.”

Owens was hired on with the department in 1989 when his friend, Sid Roberts, was elected Sher-iff.

“Tom and I started my campaign literally at his kitchen table,” said Roberts.

Roberts hired Owens as a drug officer. The department purchased a black Labrador named Moe for $7,500, and Moe became Owens’ responsibility.

“Tom was a farm boy. He was a farmer before he came to work for me. He had always been very close to his dogs. I knew he would have a tremendous amount of love and patience with a dog,” Roberts said.

Owens and Moe became an integral part of the Sheriff’s Department, working to capture some of Gordon County’s most elusive drug dealers. Moe helped seize more than $860,000 in cash from one drug sale.

“Working with Moe was the highlight of my career,” Owens said, with tears in his eyes.

Moe and Owens went on to become grand champions in a national drug dog competition and Owens continued to love and protect Moe during their time as “partners.”

“We were so concerned, because he was such a great drug dog, that something would happen to him,” said Roberts. “So Tom took the dog home with him every night.”

“He slept in the house,” said Owens.

Last week Owens was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and a Proclamation from Sheriff Ralston.

“Law enforcement is a tough jog, you made it look easy. You can sleep well at night knowing you did a good job,” Ralston said.

Owens said he will miss his fellow officers.

“I have really enjoyed the last 20 years,” he said. “It really was a pleasure and I really enjoyed all the people I have worked with.”