STEPHENVILLE -- An Erath County sheriff was found dead inside his Stephenville home early Tuesday morning.
According to the local newspaper, citing unnamed county officials, Sheriff Tommy Bryant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. But Texas Rangers,who are now in charge of the death investigation, would only confirm Bryant's death and said their investigation has just begun.
Tuesday in Stephenville, friends and colleagues reacted to the news that the sheriff, a fixture in the community for more than 20 years, may have taken his own life.
Bryant served as the lead investigator into the shooting death of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle.
“Sheriff Bryant was a good sheriff,” said local attorney Jim Keene. “He did his best to run law enforcement in this county well.”
His death comes less than a week after it was revealed he was under investigation by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for allegedly having someone else take his continuing education courses for him.
“It’s a very sad situation, very tragic when you lose a colleague and a friend like that” said Erath County Judge Tab Thompson, who worked alongside Bryant for more than 20 years. “Our thoughts and prayers from the county go out to Sheriff Bryant’s family his wife and son. Very sad time for them and for us as well.”
Early Tuesday afternoon, the county judge and commissioners met in an emergency session to decide who will serve as the temporary sheriff. It was a difficult task since many of them consider the sheriff their friend. They opted for the District Attorney’s Office investigator Matt Coates to serve the rest of the year. And, as required by law, they will reconvene at the start of the year to appoint him to serve out the remaining two years of Bryant’s term.
Meanwhile, a painful investigation begins.
“Tommy was well liked, recently re-elected, very popular sheriff,” Thompson said. “So I know that lot of hearts are heavy here in Erath County.”