MIDLAND, Texas — Longtime Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter died Saturday night.
Painter served as the Midland County sheriff since 1985.
Although little details have been released, on early Sunday morning, the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department shared their condolences on their Facebook pages.
A memorial has been set up at the Midland County Sheriff's Office parking lot at 400 S. Main Bldg. A, at Sheriff Painter's assigned parking spot. This is opened to the public.
Midland Police Chief Seth Herman stated “Sheriff Gary Painter served with the utmost distinction throughout his career as both a United States Marine and law enforcement official - serving as an example to all who wear the badge. He exemplified those traits most desired in our public servants; honor, courage, selflessness. His leadership will be missed, but his indelible legacy shall live on through those he inspired - myself included.”
Painter was born in rural Amherst in Lamb County near Littlefield in 1947.
He graduated from Plainview High School in 1965 and eventually enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966.