Jimmy Darrell Neace served the county as a magistrate for several years and was known through out the area.

County officials started arriving on the scene soon after they heard Jimmy Darrel Neace was one of the victims.

Those we talked to had nothing but praise for Neace and how much they say he cared for the community.

Jimmy Darrell Neace was serving his second term as magistrate.

“Jim’s probably one of the best magistrates we had. He stayed out every day at work. Every day of his life he's out there digging graves, work,” Perry County Judge Executive Denny Ray Noble said.

Co-workers say Neace and another county official were doing road work near Chavies and stopped for lunch at Ben's Quick Mart, a place they say he stopped nearly every day.

“When I worked with him down here we'd come here together and eat, plenty of times,” Perry County Magistrate Earl Brashear said.

Fellow county officials remember Neace as a hard working and good man.

“He always helped. He helped anybody that needed help, that he could help. He would help him. He didn't have a problem with helping anybody,” Brashear said.

With at least six years of service for Perry County, Neace's service to the community will never be forgotten.

“He cared about the county. He cared about the employees. I know first hand he was somebody who really helped us as far as the S.O. goes, which in turn, helps the whole community,” Perry Perry County Sheriff’s Department Tony Eversole said.

“Jim’s a fine man. I can't say nothing bad about him, he's a fine man. It's a bad loss to lose him,” Brashear said.

“The people in this area know what Jim done. They know how hard he worked and they know what he's done for Perry County and it's a great loss. It’s a great loss,” Noble said.