Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters has issued a proclamation declaring today (Friday) a day of mourning to remember the life of former sheriff Ronald “Hoss” Seals, who passed away yesterday (Thursday).

Seals served as sheriff for just over 15 years in Sevier County from 2007 to 2022, capping a 49-year career in law enforcement.

As part of the planned day of mourning, the official flag of Sevier County will fly at half-staff until the end of the day, and the 1896 Bell atop the Historic Sevier County Courthouse rang a solemn toll for five minutes at 11 a.m.