Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree Remembered by Classmate

Clarence Brown reflects on his high school friendship with the late public servant ahead of Roundtree's funeral.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary police car parked on a dimly lit street corner, the vehicle bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, capturing the quiet, reflective mood of a community remembering a longtime public servant.The community reflects on the legacy of a respected sheriff who dedicated decades of public service.Augusta Today

Clarence Brown, a classmate of the late former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree, is remembering his old friend and respected public servant ahead of Roundtree's funeral on Friday. Brown and Roundtree attended T.W. Josey High School together, playing on the JV and varsity football teams and participating in ROTC. Though not close friends, Brown says they maintained a mutual respect over the years, with Brown proud of Roundtree becoming the first African American sheriff in the county.

Why it matters

Roundtree's passing marks the end of an era for Richmond County, as he served as sheriff for over a decade and was a respected figure in the community. Brown's reflections provide a personal perspective on Roundtree's character and background, humanizing the late public servant.

The details

In the 1987 T.W. Josey High School yearbook, Brown ranked Roundtree as both the 'silliest' and a 'teacher's pet,' noting that Roundtree had a way of putting people at ease while also taking command. Though the two were not close friends, Brown says they maintained an 'old friends' respect for each other over the years. Roundtree went on to become the first African American sheriff in Richmond County, a role Brown says came with a 'heavy weight' of drawing in the community.

  • Richard Roundtree's funeral will be held on Friday, April 18, 2026 at 11 a.m.
  • Roundtree and Clarence Brown attended T.W. Josey High School together in 1987.

The players

Richard Roundtree

The late former Sheriff of Richmond County, Georgia, who was the first African American to hold that position.

Clarence Brown

A classmate of Richard Roundtree's from T.W. Josey High School, where the two played football together and were in ROTC.

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What they’re saying

“In high school we played JV football together. We were in ROTC together and um, and then eventually played varsity football.”

— Clarence Brown, Classmate of Richard Roundtree

“I had Richard in there as the silliest, but I also had him in there as a teacher's pet. And so he always had, I guess, that side of him that could, he put people at ease but still take command. And so I, I would say public service would have been a good move for him.”

— Clarence Brown, Classmate of Richard Roundtree

“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that's a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community.”

— Clarence Brown, Classmate of Richard Roundtree

What’s next

A live stream of Richard Roundtree's funeral will be available on YouTube on Friday, April 18, 2026 at 11 a.m.

The takeaway

Roundtree's passing marks the end of an era for Richmond County, as he served as sheriff for over a decade and was a respected figure in the community. Brown's reflections on their high school friendship provide a personal perspective on Roundtree's character and background, humanizing the late public servant.