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2026 Book and Author

TRP's Huntsville History series highlights the history, people, and places around Huntsville, TX, including Walker County and the Piney Woods/East Texas areas.
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Book cover of East Texas Sheriff with a black and white photo of man in cowboy hat and sunglasses.

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.

Author Biography

Growing up as the daughter of an East Texas sheriff, RUTH WHITE LYNCH experienced small-town moments with her father, Darrell White. Ruth left Huntsville after graduating from Sam Houston State University, pursuing law and politics. Family ties and closeness to her parents called her home where she would record her father’s narrative based on thirty years in law enforcement. Ruth currently lives on the ranch where she was raised and loves the outdoors.

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