On June 5, 2023, my good friend Robert Frost left us to go to a better place.

I got to know Robert in 1978 when I was a young TBI Agent assigned to Hardeman
County. He served as sheriff there from 1968-72. In those days, the sheriff served two-year
terms, and there was a limit on how many terms a sheriff could serve.

Robert had a lasting impact on law enforcement in Tennessee.

The 1960s and 70s were a period of change and turmoil in our criminal justice system.
Times were tough, especially on the Tennessee-Mississippi State Line. Sheriff Frost was
instrumental in bringing modern police work to the area and creating a pattern for others to try
and emulate.

During his tenure, he hired a young African American man named Delphus Hicks to be
the first minority deputy in the county’s history. Delphus would later become the first African
American sheriff in Tennessee.

After leaving the sheriff’s office, Robert became the Lead Investigator for the Tennessee
Fire Marshall for West Tennessee.

In the late 1980s, he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of the Department of
Commerce and Insurance, where he served until he retired from state government.

He was instrumental in creating the Tennessee Fire Academy.

Still feeling the need to serve others, Mr. Frost worked with the U.S. Marshals to provide
security for the federal court in Nashville.

Robert Frost’s dedication to law enforcement was surpassed only by his love for his
family and the Lord. He taught Bible classes, performed missionary work in foreign lands, and
volunteered with many humanitarian organizations.

Robert Frost taught many of us a lot, not only about police work but also about life.

Delphus Hicks summed it up when he said, “Robert stood his ground.”

He will be missed.

Jim Leach is a former Director of Criminal Investigations for the Tennessee Department
of Safety.