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Andrew County Sheriff Gary Howard is retiring after 22 years in office.

SAVANNAH, Mo. — Today will be the last day for Gary Howard as the Andrew County sheriff. He’s held the job for 22 years.

“He’s a guy who’s done his job without drawing a lot of attention to himself,” said Associate Circuit Court Judge Mike Ordnung.

In many ways, Mr. Howard resembles Sheriff Andy Taylor, television’s fictional sheriff of Mayberry, Mr. Ordnung said.

Tuesday when the News-Press caught up with Mr. Howard, he was dressed in civilian clothes, didn’t have a gun and his son was following him around on his rounds.

Guns and such aren’t really what the job is about, Mr. Howard said.

“I’ve always tried to treat everybody like I wanted to be treated, and most of the time that’s worked out pretty well,” Mr. Howard said.

His staff seems to think his relaxed ways work.

“He’s been a superb boss who never seems to get upset about anything that comes up,” said Judy Evans, a communicator for the Sheriff’s Department.

He focused on getting the job done, said Deputy Charles Donahoo.

“But he’s like a dog with a bone when he gets to investigate a crime,” Mr. Donahoo said.

Sticking with a case had its rewards and satisfaction for Mr. Howard.

The murder of Grace Hixson, a 56-year-old grandmother, on a Sunday morning in October 1997 worried the sheriff. He’d called in the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the two departments followed lead after lead for 13 months. Eventually, three young men went to prison for the murder. Behind his office desk hangs a plaque he received from Mrs. Hixson’s husband thanking him for sticking with the case.

The death of another woman, Therese Campen, has been a frustration for the sheriff.

The discarded body of Ms. Campen, 36, was found in an Amazonia cemetery in February 1996. The sheriff said he kept thinking someone would come forward with critical information for that investigation. No one has.

Years ago, the department housed an average of eight to 10 prisoners each day.

Now, with the same staff the department handles 28 to 30 prisoners a day, Mr. Howard said.

“If there was any doubt about the department changing, it ended some years ago when there were six prisoners in jail all charged with first-degree murder,” he said.

Bryan Atkins begins his duties as the new sheriff on Thursday.

Mr. Howard said he might come back to assist once in awhile. But for now the retiring sheriff hopes to take his time enjoying the family, farm and life.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.