Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 12, 1995 TAG: 9501120069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But between visitors, phone calls and constant prodding for medical this and thats, the 56-year-old sheriff hasn't gotten much peace and quiet.
Not that it's anything new for Overton, who has continued to work long days on the job in spite of the fact that he was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago.
It's not unusual to find Overton in his small, basement office in Rocky Mount's Virgil Goode Building returning phone calls late into the evening.
But when Overton - whose weight has declined since he was diagnosed with the disease - lost 11 pounds over a short period of time recently, he decided to enter the hospital for extensive tests.
"I guess it's time I accept that I've got" diabetes, he said Wednesday. "But it could be worse. There's people in here with cancer and other things."
Overton hasn't taken a day of vacation in his 19 years as Franklin County's sheriff. Except for a back operation that kept him off the job for three days several years ago, this week's stay in the hospital is the longest Overton has been off the job since he was elected in 1975, he said.
But the most popular elected official in the county can never get away from one of the things he does best - politic.
Franklin County School Board member William Helm stopped in to see the sheriff Wednesday.
Helm, along with the other seven members of the School Board, must decide if they will campaign for office this year for the first time after county voters passed an elected school board referendum in November.
"You should run," Overton told Helm. "You've done a good job."
After Helm left, Overton told another visitor: "He's done a good job for the county. He should stay on the board."
Overton's son, Bill, a captain with the sheriff's department, said the sheriff plays politics with nurses at the hospital, too.
"He'll smile when they come in and say thanks when they leave," he said. "But he's like a caged animal."
Pending the results of his tests, Sheriff Overton said he expects to be back in the saddle next week, and plans on putting more emphasis on the things he needs to do to keep his blood sugar regulated.
The sheriff was then off to lunch, but not before a nurse appeared to stick a thermometer in his mouth.
"You look like Paul Newman," she said.
"I don't know," Overton said with a wink. "I'm a sick man."
by CNB