Charles Claud Penland’s law enforcement career spanned four decades, and those who worked with him over the years say they remember him as a dedicated and kind-hearted man of faith.
Penland, 72, of Tiger and affectionately known as “Pepaw,” died April 17.
“Charles was a good person, good officer and good friend,” said Don Page, former Rabun County Sheriff, about working with Penland and developing a close friendship.
Penland was born December 25, 1947 in Macon County, N.C. Throughout his life, he was an avid hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, and gun enthusiast.
Over the course of his 43-year career, he served Rabun County as an officer for Mountain Patrol and both the city of Clayton and city of Sky Valley, Chief of Police for Mountain City and as a Deputy Sheriff.
“We had some good times working together,” Page said, as he recounted first working with Penland and Cary Thomas at Mountain Patrol when it was first founded in 1973.
Page said that he and Penland attended the police academy together as well, and Penland eventually worked as a deputy during Page’s term as Sheriff.
“He was always very dependable. A good person,” Page said.
Tom Garrison, Mountain City Chief of Police, said that he witnessed Penland’s love of helping people after being hired by Penland in 1994.
Penland was the Police Chief for Mountain City from 1990-2004.
“My first couple years of law enforcement were under Charles Penland,” Garrison said. He described Penland as a good-hearted person who loved helping people.
“Charles was a fun guy to work with,” Garrison said.
Penland’s love for community and his strong work ethic were always evident. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Newman Chapel Baptist Church.
Lt. Mark Gerrells with the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office said that Penland’s Christian faith significantly impacted him as a “rambunctious” young officer.
“Charles Penland is the reason I am a Christian today,” Gerrells said. He said that Penland took him under his wing and frequently invited him to church.
After much persistence, Gerrells attended church with Penland and he said it was there where he first witnessed the Gospel.
“He changed my life,” Gerrells said. “Because he witnessed me and he was the one who got me to go to church and witness the Gospel.”
Gerrells said that he started working with Penland at the Sky Valley Police Department in the 1980s. He also worked under Penland at the Mountain City Police Department.
“He was a kind-hearted public servant,” Gerrells said.
He said that Penland gave his life to serving his community and was well respected by other officers.
“He was a law enforcement officer through and through,” Gerrells said.
Penland is survived by his wife, Lana Gale Penland, and children Retia Merino (Raul) of Clayton, Angelia Swiencicki (Adam) of Rabun Gap and Claudia Penland (Christopher Grodde) of Rankweil, Austria; stepchildren Bocephus Little (Becky) of Dillard and Gaila Little of Jacksonville, Florida.
There was a private graveside service Monday, April 20 at Newman Chapel Baptist Church.
A complete obituary can be found on Page 6 of today’s paper.