Honoring a lawman’s legacy

Submitted by Canton1 on

Photos by Britne Hammons
A remembrance ceremony was held for the late Constable C. B. Wiley Aug. 16 by community members and Pct. 2 JP Ronnie Daniell. Wiley’s portrait was unveiled during the event and will be hung in the courtroom in remembrance. In conjunction with the event, Judge Daniell also held an open house to reveal renovations that were recently completed at the Courthouse Annex in Canton.

By Britne Hammons Staff Writer
The late Van Zandt County Pct. 2 Constable C.B. Wiley served others as a law enforcement officer for more than 50 years.
 
Constable memorialized with portrait, plaques
 
It was tears and cheers during a remembrance event held Aug. 16 for the late Constable Pct. 2 C. B. Wiley. Within a packed courtroom at the VZC Courthouse Annex, Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Ronnie Daniell held an event to commemorate Wiley’s service to the county and also held an open house after extensive restoration work that was completed at the Annex.

Wiley was an officer of the law for more than 50 years – first in Dallas and then in Van Zandt County. He and his wife, Mary, moved to Canton in 1972.

A tribute wall has been created in the JP office to honor Wiley and his law enforcement legacy. The date for the open house also honors him, JP Pct. 2 Clerk Sandra Plaster said. Aug. 16 would have been Wiley’s 80th birthday.

Plaster said that Wiley’s service was noticed by Senator Bob Hall, and according to Plaster suggested that “something be done to honor such a devoted man.”

“It was Memorial Day and Senator Hall and I talked about doing something to honor Constable Wiley. At that time, we both decided to put the wheels in action. So, we planned an honorary event,” said Plaster.

Plaster was not alone in recognizing Wiley, sparking the formation of a committee to help honor the lawman.

“Without the committee, we could not have honored him in such a great way. The committee went above and beyond to help put this together for Constable Wiley’s family.”

Plaster said the committee was comprised of Gina Cantrell, Jan Donaldson, Patty Hunter, Sandra Jones and herself.

The remembrance event was attended by approximately 150 people with several notable figures having a few words to say to the Wiley family about Constable Wiley.

Wiley’s wife, Mary Wiley; daughter, Pam Hinton; and son, David Wiley accepted plaques and certificates on behalf of Constable Wiley.

Judge Daniell said that Wiley “fulfilled his call in law enforcement and gave so much to the county. He and his family gave so much of themselves when he was called to service.” 

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