By Billy Davis

Late Panola County Sheriff Hugh “Shot” Bright will be remembered Thursday when a building at the sheriff’s department is named in his honor.

Local officials will dedicate the joint county-state building to Bright, who passed away September 27, 2009, at age 50.

The building dedication is set for 11 a.m.

The ceremony is part of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at the sheriff’s department.

Law enforcement officials from local and state jurisdictions are expected to attend the event, which runs all day on the grounds of the department.

Bright championed the trusty program for giving inmates an opportunity to reduce their sentences. He also stressed its savings to Panola taxpayers.

The late sheriff started with the sheriff’s department in 1984 as a jailer. Former sheriff David Bryan promoted him to jail administrator in 1996.  

After Bryan’s death, Bright won a special election to fill the seat. He then won a full term in 2007.