The High Sheriff of Greene: The True Story of Legendary Lawman L.L. Wyatt

by Claire Underwood Hertzler

During Prohibition, Greene County was the moonshine capital of Georgia. A corrupt sheriff and hundreds of illegal stills made this little area east of Atlanta the source of liquor for hotels in the city and people across the South. Then, in 1925, a twenty-one-year-old named L.L. Wyatt was recruited to break up this thriving industry. Wyatt's battles with the bootleggers would soon turn him into a figure larger than life. As his fearlessness, agility, honesty, and fairness in enforcing the law were demonstrated again and again, the stories spread throughout the county, sweeping everyone up into the legend of L.L. Wyatt. Bolstered by a sense that God was protecting him, Wyatt was fearless in his mission. In only five years, he transformed Greene County into one of the most crime-free places in Georgia. He was shot at, spit upon, bitten, and cursed for it, but for five decades, Wyatt was engaged in an ongoing war between the law and those who would oppose it, maintaining law, order, and the respect of all, even criminals. No crime went unsolved during his 36 years as sheriff of Greene County, a feat even Hollywood took note of. More than just a legend from the past, Wyatt's story shows that one person can change their community for good. His ideals challenge law enforcement and society alike to uphold a firm respect for the law while also enforcing it in a manner that preserves dignity. Every single citizen mattered to Sheriff L.L. Wyatt. Before there was such a thing, Wyatt was a true community police officer and sheriff.

Genres: History, Biography, Crime

162 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2016

Reviews

[Elizabeth LeDuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

The story is captivating and I recommend it to all readers. The writer weaves the true story of this remarkable man into a tapestry of intrigue, humor, grief, and inspiration. I so enjoyed this book!

[Mary Beth]

I loved reading The High Sheriff of Greene. Claire’s writing brought to life the story of an amazing man who helped form the history of my adopted home in Greene County, Georgia. This was a perfect combination of excitement and intrigue supported by historical documentation. Excellent!

[Constance McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of a sheriff, L.L. Wyatt, in predominantly rural Greene County, Georgia. He became legendary because of his steadfast pursuit of bootleggers, who had been allowed under the previous, corrupt sheriff, to operate during Prohibition. Even after he cleaned up the stills, he continued as sheriff for 50 years. He was the victim of shootings and other assaults, but came through unscathed. Wyatt's fearlessness was fueled by his certainty that he was protected by God. During years of segregation and racial strife, Wyatt treated all people equally and with respect. He was a beloved figure. Hertzler's writing makes the reader love L.L. Wyatt, too. This book reads like a novel, as the reader keeps wondering what Wyatt will do next. Hertzler brings to a wider audience the life of a man who deserves to be known. In our current days of occasionally questionable law enforcement practices and our not-so-occasional interpersonal disrespect, Wyatt is an inspiration. Although I'm not typically a reader of nonfiction, I enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

[Barbara Latta · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will be on the edge of your seat while traveling through moonshine country with Sheriff L.L. Wyatt during his 50 years as Sheriff of Greene County, Georgia.