After 24 years as Trigg County’s District 6 magistrate, the days in office are running thin for the legend, Larry Lawrence.
And while that’s okay with both him and his awaiting family, his efforts nonetheless will be missed.
Monday night, an emotional Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander — himself nearing retirement — regaled fiscal court with tales of he and Lawrence’s friendship and camaraderie over the decades, before surprising him with the annual Trigg County “Rev. Dr. Tom Martin Community Service” Award.
According to records from WKDZ’s Scott Brown, Lawrence is one of just five Trigg Countians to serve fiscal court for six terms in the last 120 years — joining the ranks of Lacy Bush in District 4, Sidney Bryant in District 4, Kelly P’Pool in District 5 and Donnie Tyler in District 7 in the feat.
In that time, Alexander said Lawrence was “a friend to him, and a friend to the court” — only wishing to serve Trigg County in its times of need.
Three specific stories about Lawrence stuck out in Alexander’s mind.
The first came following the campaign trail, after his first term as District 6 magistrate — in a May 1998 primary vote he claimed by nine.
The second came after Alexander was appointed Judge-Executive to fill out the remainder of Stan Humphries’ term. Lawrence had been trying to get phone calls through to his potential associate, but to no avail.
Lawrence, Alexander remembered, was a bit perturbed.
The third tale of Lawrence stems from public outcry in 2015, when the regulation of poultry farms in the county inflamed voters and constituents — driving many to attend fiscal court meetings, mostly in protest, against the potential smell and location of such an establishment.
Alexander’s words Monday night were a bit softer than Lawrence’s were during those spirited debates.
Lawrence, himself, was without many words.
Following the conclusion of two more meetings in December, Lawrence’s seat turns to Pat Bush — who won the 2022 general election over longtime county supporter Jan Culwell.
