The Old School History Museum (OSHM) welcomed approximately 150 guests Oct. 4 for another installment of its popular “Sunday at the Museum” lecture series. The Sunday afternoon presentation featured Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills as guest speaker, onstage in The Plaza Arts Center theater.
“I’ve known Sheriff Sills for a long time, but I thought, I don’t really know some of the stories that other people who grew up here probably know,” OSHM Director Sandra Rosseter said in introducing him. “So, I decided I would just find out, and the more I found out, the more fascinated I became. He really is quite a guy.”
Sills began his law enforcement career in 1974 with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office in Statesboro, then transitioned 12 years later to corporate security work in DeKalb County before returning to his hometown, Eatonton.
He initially worked as a Baldwin County chief deputy before his 1996 election as Putnam County sheriff. Now in his eighth four-year term, Sills is the longest-serving sheriff in Putnam County history.
Sills began by discussing how the sheriff’s role has evolved, and what it really means to serve and protect. He mixed history lessons with humor and colorful stories of the people and places that shaped him, while frequently recognizing and mentioning familiar faces in the audience.
“You are looking at the product of a village,” he shared about himself. “And this was an awfully good village.”
Sills recalled childhood days spent on family property, along with time spent at the drugstore, filling prescriptions under his grandfather’s supervision. He spoke, too, about mentors who eventually guided him toward a career in law enforcement.
Sills shared many memories and stories throughout the afternoon, moving freely between lessons learned as a young deputy, memories of growing up in Putnam County, and experiences gathered over a lifetime in law enforcement.
The 72-year-old sheriff previously stated he will retire when his current term is up; however, at least twice on Sunday he hinted one more election cycle might remain in his future.
A brief attempt at chanting “Four more years!” rang out from an audience member as Sills wrapped up.
Whatever comes next for Sills, his “Sunday at the Museum” appearance made one thing clear: a lifetime of action, suspense, and crime fighting has provided him with plenty of stories he is more than willing to share.
Following the lecture, guests were invited to the onsite Old School History Museum for free snacks and refreshments, though donations were encouraged and accepted.
The afternoon reflected the Old School History Museum’s mission of “preserving the past for the future,” by connecting the broader history of law enforcement with the people and stories of Putnam County. The museum posts updates on its Facebook page and website (oldschoolhistorymuseum. org), including all future events.
— Contributed