**This research was first published in the May 29, 2024 edition of the Chatham Star-Tribune newspaper as part of Kyle Griffith’s weekly segment entitled “Heritage Highlights.”

“Sheriff” at home in the old blacksmith shop

In the close-knit community of Dry Fork, Virginia, there was a man everyone knew as “Sheriff.” Born in 1940, Aurelian Guyard Shelton was at first called “Relian,” which rhymed with billion. Deeply rooted in Pittsylvania County, he was the fifth child of Daniel Latane Shelton and Cassie Meadows Shelton. Cassie’s sister, Louise M. Grant, was my great-grandmother. Relian grew up within walking distance of Grant’s Store, where he was greatly influenced by the hospitality and kindness of Garland Grant, the owner. One fateful day around 1955, Relian walked down to the store and earned the nickname “Sheriff,” which stayed with him for life. About five years ago, during a visit with the late Garland Grant, he shared the charming story behind the nickname. I recorded audio of our conversation to create the following transcription that conveyed Garland’s dialect and personality as he recounted the tale. Garland, who was around twenty-five years old at the time of the story, had just returned from the Korean War, and continued his father’s business. He remembered the events like they were yesterday.

“Have you seen the headstone at his grave?” He asked me. “Have you seen the fact that he’s got ‘Sheriff’ there rather than his own name? I was the one that gave ‘im the name!” Relian had “a little star…a toy badge that you pin it, chap-like. He got it out of a box of Cracker Jacks or som’n he had bought at the sto’e. He bought ‘em and he took it home first—came back the next day and had that little star pinned inside of his [jacket]—Sheriff was ‘bout 14 or 15 years old at that time. I looked…it was exposed some kind of way. I said ‘Well you the Sheriff ‘round here boy!’ I says ‘I think I’m gon’ call you Sheriff.’ Tickled him plum to death. And some time another, I took him home and I told Cassie. I says ‘Cassie, we got a new Sheriff in town.’ She says ‘Who is it?’ I says ‘It’s yo’ boy! From now on his name is Sheriff.’ His momma was tickled plum to death and he was too–the whole family and it spread like wildfire. Nobody ever called him anything else and he loved it. He’s got it on his stone at the very top, ‘Sheriff.’”

Sheriff worked at Grant’s store for a while, helping to unload feed and seed bags as well as other heavy goods like potatoes for customers. As an adult, Sheriff moved into the old Joe Lynch’s blacksmith shop next to the house where his parents lived. He spent most of his time among the familiar roads of Dry Fork helping with jobs around the community. He was known for his willingness to lend a hand, embodying a neighborly spirit that defined the area. In the later years of his life, Sheriff paid a visit to Garland to thank him for all he had done for him and gifted the little metal star that started it all. Sheriff passed away in the year 2000 and is buried at the Emmanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church, surrounded by friends and family. After Garland told this story to me, he reached over and opened up a drawer in a side table and carefully retrieved Sheriff’s old star, held his hand flat, and said he would like for me to have it. I consider the star an artifact and an important memento to Dry Fork history, the influence of Grant’s Store, and the charm of rural Virginia culture. Now the star is displayed in a shadow box above my desk and each time I look at it, I am reminded of the enduring legacy of friendship and community.

The small metal “Deputy Marshal” pin was a product of Midgetoy created in the 1950’s.

Aurelian “Sheriff” Shelton, pictured as a young boy a few years before he received his nickname.