Oct. 10 would have marked G.E. "Buck" Guin's 96th birthday. This man had many unforgettable roles which included devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, Lepanto's Chief of Police, counselor, dog catcher, plumber, fireman, ambulance, delivery boy, baby-sitter you name it, he did it.

I was nine years old when my grandfather passed away but I do remember him. Not like I would like to or the way that many others do because in 1983, he had a brain sinus abscess which caused him to become paralyzed. When talking to others about Papaw, I heard such things as well-respected, generous, devoted, selfless, and honest. From what I understand, he was very dedicated to the community. I can't imagine the sacrifices he made to serve and protect so people could feel safe. Now I realize that he was only human and had many faults, but he was a hero especially to his family. Someone in that position, I am sure has many friends but probably just as many enemies. He gave his time, loathed by many unless they were in need. The benefits and pay were not much and the city offered no retirement or insurance.

In 1929 (when Buck was 17), William Levi and Nancy Cassie Spears Guin traveled by covered wagon to Lepanto from Hugo, Okla. with their six children. Buck grew up during the depression and spent many hours farming with his family. He farmed with a mule, straps and plow. We talk about how amazed he would have been at the modern technology. He would have been terribly upset to know that we actually pay for bottled water.

In 1940-1941, Papaw Buck was employed as the night patrolman for Lepanto Police Department. World War II took him to Italy and Africa. He joined the Army and was a Staff Sergeant with the Army's 161st Division for four years. Buck returned from the war when his father passed away and worked as the Chief of Police until sickness forced him to retire in 1975. During this time, he served as an appointed Special Deputy U.S. Marshal and held a Poinsett County Deputy Sheriff's Commission for 35 years.

He loved his community and was involved in many civic organizations such as the Lion's Club and Chamber of Commerce. He was an American Legion founder, charter member and past president of the Northeast Arkansas Peace Association and a 32nd degree Mason.

He helped reorganize the Lepanto Fire Department in 1952 and served as a volunteer fireman. In the 1950's, Buck made several trips with Mayor Hugh Mills and Judge John Mosby to help with the Industrial Development Council.

While serving as the Chief of Police, there wasn't an allowance for the police department so they used their own personal vehicles and gas. Since there wasn't an ambulance service in the area, he also volunteered his services. In all the years as police, he never shot anyone and was never shot himself although he encountered several dangerous situations including someone shooting through his home. He also had someone threaten to kidnap his daughter.

The police department consisted of one day dispatcher and one night dispatcher, a night deputy and himself. He had Wednesday afternoons off and that was it. He patrolled from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and a lot of the time he was called out in the middle of the night too. Just think of what he could have done with a computer - how it could have helped with his job.

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette had this to say about him: Today July 15, 1996 Community mourns well-respected Police Officer Chief Buck Guin dies of congestive heart failure at the age of 83. Guin was well-respected as a police officer. He tried to help anyone he could. He was well-known with police officers all over Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee. He worked during a time when everyone came to town on Friday and Saturday nights to buy groceries and go to the movies. The town looked like our Terrapin Derby night every weekend. He worked during a time when people didn't lock their doors at night and they sat outside on the porch in the evening until the mosquitoes forced them inside

He had one son and daughters, Joe (Jan) Guin of Jackson, Tenn., Felicia Guin (Roy) Cook and Mericia K Guin (Mark) Holiman both of Lepanto; eight grandchildren Joey Guin of Marion, Lora Kay (Bill) Seeley of Jackson, Tenn., Brian (Nicole) Guin of Henderson, Tenn., Lindsay Lee Holiman of Lepanto, Whitney Elise Cook of Fayetteville, Marissa Layne Holiman of Lepanto, Ryan Wesley Cook of Fayetteville, and Kirsten Lynnae Holiman of Lepanto; and five great-grandchildren, Savannah and Will Seeley, Abby and Anna Guin, and Rylan Lee Holiman.