Delphus V. Hicks Jr.
Sheriff Delphus V. Hicks Jr., was born in Ashland, Mississippi to Mr. and Mrs. Delphus V. and Gladys Hicks Sr. He attended Benton County Schools and graduated from Old Salem High School in Ashland, Mississippi. Upon graduation from high school Sheriff Hicks moved to Chicago, Illinois and worked as a stocker at Williamson Candy Company. Sheriff Hicks served in the United States Army, stationed in North Carolina, Texas, and Korea.
Returning to Grand Junction, Tennessee Sheriff Hicks began his career in Law Enforcement working as a deputy for the Hardeman County Sheriff Department. Shortly after becoming a deputy Sheriff Hicks was promoted to Chief Deputy. In September of 1978 Sheriff Hicks was elected as Sheriff of Hardeman County making him the first African American Sheriff elected in the state of Tennessee. Sheriff Hicks served as Sheriff of Hardeman County from 1978 to 1994. During his tenure as Sheriff the Hardeman County Jail was certified for the first time through Tennessee Corrections Institute. In1994 he began to work for the State of Tennessee as a Mental Health/Retardation Investigator. Sheriff Hicks also has served as a senior corrections officer for Corrections Corporation of America, and Interim Police Chief of Whiteville Police Department. In 2002 Sheriff Hicks sought to become the Sheriff of Hardeman County and remained in that position until September 1, 2010.
Re-elected to a second term as Sheriff in 2006 Sheriff Hicks worked hard to ensure that integrity was maintained within the department and fiscal responsibility was continually exercised. Under the leadership of Sheriff Hicks the Hardeman County Criminal Justice Complex was constructed. Sheriff Hicks continued to improve himself in the area of law enforcement by attending Tennessee Sheriff Association School, United States Marshall Service Jail Operations Seminar, Medical Examiner Seminar, Drug Free Tennessee Seminar, and West Tennessee Criminal Investigation Organization.
During his tenure as Sheriff, Sheriff Hicks served as Vice President of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association, and established many firsts within the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Department. Under his leadership the Litter Pick-Up Program was established, a School Resource Officer was placed at Middleton High School, a full time court officer was assigned to the courts, an Investigative Unit was organized within the Sheriff’s Department, and Neighborhood Watch Organizations were organized in various county locations.
In 2010 Sheriff Hicks retired from public service and have since enjoyed time with family and friends. He also enjoys hobbies such as grass cutting, simple construction, and gardening.
Sheriff Hicks has received the prestigious Tennessee Outstanding Sheriff of the Year Award, Tennessee Outstanding Achievement Award, and Honorary Member of the Lieutenant Governor’s Staff, the 2003 Emancipation Award, the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators Chairperson Award, and the Outstanding Achievement Award Bu Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Sheriff Hicks was a member of 25th Judicial Drug Task Force, Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, Governor’s Alliance for Drug Free Tennessee, Tennessee Sheriff’s Association, Hardeman County Law Enforcement Board. Sheriff Hicks is currently a member of NAACP, Hardeman County Community Health Center Board of Directors, Board Member of Corrections Management, and Aluzza Temple #169.
Delphus Hicks and his late wife, Frankie, have two children, James and Diane, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren