The Troup County Sheriff’s Office announced earlier this week that deputy Arthur Ransom passed away Saturday after a recent medical emergency. Many know Ransom from his recent position with security at the Troup County Government Center in LaGrange.

The Pine Mountain native had worked for the Troup County Sheriff’s Office since August 2016.

Althea Bing, Ransom’s sister, said he was always happy growing up and was a loving family member.

“When we needed someone to talk to, he was someone we could talk to. He was really sweet and he was a lovable person. He was always happy,” Bing said. “[Our family was] sitting here thinking, and we can’t think of a time when we ever saw him where he was mad. Not even when we were growing up, he never even said a harsh word to or about anybody in the family.”

He worked as a disc jockey and sold cars, but he also spent many years in public service and law enforcement. Ransom worked for 911, the Troup County Marshal’s Office, the LaGrange Police Department and the TCSO.

Bing said Ransom went into law enforcement because he wanted to help people.

“He just loved people. He wanted to be somebody who could help someone,” she said.

Troup County Sgt. Stewart Smith said he knew Ransom from when they both worked at 911.

“When I started my career in public safety, I worked with Arthur at 911 as a dispatcher and got to know him there, and just kept up with him over the years. Then of course him working back with us (at the TCSO),” Smith said. “He’s not just a great employee, he’s a great person, a great friend. It’s tough to lose a good employee. It’s even harder when you know him really well. He was just a great guy.”

Bing said Ransom’s family is doing OK.

“We are maintaining, we’re staying close as we always have because we have always been a close-knit family,” she said. “I think we’re all mostly still in shock.”

Sheriff James Woodruff said he and the entire office are saddened about Ransom’s death.

“Of course, the entire sheriff’s office is saddened at the loss of Arthur. He, to me, was a personal friend. I’ve known him for years and years and years and he was just a super guy. Nobody could say anything bad about Arthur Ransom,” Woodruff said. “He worked on the metal detector at the government center and even when people would come in, in a bad mood for whatever reason, he would cheer them up, and he will be greatly missed by the citizens of Troup County as well as the sheriff’s office staff.”

Bing said the family is glad to know how many people have been touched by Ransom’s actions in public service.

“We’re just honored to know that he was loved by so many, and really loved by his family,” she said. “He was the life of the party.”

Ransom’s visitation is today at Lakes Dunson Robertson Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. His funeral will be held Wednesday at New Community Church at noon. The burial, with full honors, will be held at New Solomon Grove Baptist Church in Pine Mountain. Any law enforcement or public safety officers that want to attend should contact Smith at (706) 883-1616 for further instruction.