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A. C. GILLESS, FORMER SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF DIES TODAY

Release Date: November 26, 2004

Former Shelby County Sheriff A.C. Gilless, who served in office longer than any other Shelby County Sheriff, passed away at his Cordova home just after midnight. Family members say Gilless, 70, died of complications from lung cancer.

“Sheriff Gilless was a dedicated public servant who cared deeply for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of our community,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Sheriff Gilless was born in Memphis on January 8, 1934. He followed in his father's footsteps in law enforcement. His father had served as a Special Deputy for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.

A. C. Gilless began his service at the Sheriff's Office in 1959, when he was hired as a Deputy Jailer. He quickly worked his way up through the ranks, serving in a number of command staff positions in both patrol and investigative services.

In 1980, then Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris asked him to become Director of the Shelby County Corrections Center.

“We needed his leadership abilities at the corrections center. I had the fullest confidence in his decision-making. I appreciated his professionalism, moreover, his friendship,” said Mayor Morris.

Sheriff Gilless served at the Shelby County Corrections Center until 1985. He then retired from Shelby County Government with 25 years of service.

However, it was a short retirement. He returned to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in 1986 to be Chief Deputy for then Sheriff Jack Owens.

When Sheriff Owens died in 1990, Gilless briefly served as acting Sheriff, and later that year, was elected to the first of three terms in office. He retired in 2002, with 43 years of law enforcement service to the Shelby County community.

While in office, Sheriff Gilless was known as a good administrator who oversaw construction of a new Training Academy and a new Substation that was built in Arlington, Tennessee.

Don Wright served with Gilless for 35 years at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, six of those years as Chief Deputy.

“Hardly anyone knew more about the law than Sheriff Gilless. He had the right answer for any issue that might face a deputy. He was also one of the most compassionate persons I have ever known,” said Wright.

In 1968, the Memphis Kiwanis Club chose Sheriff Gilless “Outstanding Lawman of The Year.” He was a graduate of the F.B.I. National Executive Institute, a Past President of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association, and a member of the Al Chymia Shrine Temple in Memphis.

Sheriff Gilless and his wife, Mattie, were married 39 years.

“We just missed our 40th Wedding Anniversary which would have been on December 15. A. C. was a dedicated lawman. Yet, he was just as dedicated to our three children and eight grandchildren. He delighted at the times he could go fishing at our vacation home in Heber Springs, Arkansas,” said Mrs. Gilless.

Visitation will be held on Monday evening, November 28, 2004, at Forest Hill Funeral Home on South Holmes Road, from 5 p.m. through 8 p.m.

His funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2004, however, at this moment, the location and time are still pending. He will be buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.