Donald Valenza - Living The Dream 1979 Through Current

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Nov 07 2018 10:50 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:    From 1979 as a Houston County Sheriff Correctional Officer and a baseball player at Wallace College.

In 2018 elected to his second term as Houston County Sheriff, after being appointed to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Andy Hughes when he resigned.

Donald Valenza....you did not dream of being Houston County Sheriff. I did.

You made it, I never will.

But as one who was at the Sheriff Department when you started in 1979, having had the pleasure of being friends, working beside you and seeing you grow through the ranks and years, I am extremely proud Donald Valenza is my Sheriff.

You and I have worked different things together. From minor things to major cases such as murder scenes. And you were knowledgeable and professional. I have learned a lot from you.

From Sheriff A.B. Clark, both of our mentor, through Andy Hughes you have always remained faithful and true to the Sheriff you served and the citizens you serve.

And as “The Sheriff” you are faithful to the people you serve.

But I caution you... the Houston County Sheriff Department has dominated your life. You are in a position of service. But there is something that Sheriff Clark did not have that you do. A cell phone.

DO NOT let Sheriff dominate your life as it has since 1979. While you are there to serve, you have a daughter. Enjoy the moments in her life that you need to. You can be reached on the phone. You have staff that DONALD VALENZA commands. Take some time to enjoy her special moments while serving. You do not need to feel guilty when gone to her events.

I am honored to call you Sheriff. Congratulations on living the dream.

Note:   The bottom picture is of me in the late 1970’s or early 1980.

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