Huntsville History- East Texas Sheriff, Volume 14

Darrell White is known as one of Texas's most colorful lawmen. White once arrested one of the most notorious criminals in the history of the United States, Charles Manson. The six-foot tall, lanky Sheriff was criticized and praised. He fought legal battles from accusations of water torture, physical brutality and burying prisoners under the jail. He witnessed the aftermath of devil worshiping, arrested a "hit man" hired to kill him, and was even challenged to an old-fashioned duel by a local attorney. Sheriff White attended executions at the prison and was involved in ending an eleven-day prison hostage crisis. White even had a mother in labor in his patrol car. The Sheriff saw a variety of good, humorous, sad, and tragic cases. Through it all, he kept a good attitude and remained honest and loyal to the citizens of Walker County. Huntsville History, No. 14 Selected by Carolina Castillo Crimm