WINDSOR, NC — What started out as a costume accessory for a Christmas party has grown into a full-blown fashion statement for Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin.
Ruffin started donning a cowboy hat and boots around the beginning of the year, saying he liked the attention the western attire commanded as he carried out his law enforcement responsibilities.
“It’s a funny story of how I started wearing the cowboy hat and boots,” Ruffin said. “Around December 2023, Tim Bazemore invited me to his business Christmas celebration, and the theme was boots and brim. I didn’t have a brim or boots, so I called a good friend of mine, Bruce Watford, from the Powellsville area, and he had just what I needed to attend the celebration.”
Ruffin said he was immediately struck by how others at the party viewed their sheriff dressed in a cowboy hat and boots.
“When I got dressed and went in the public, it seemed that it caught everyone’s attention,” he said. “So, after the celebration, I asked Bruce if I could hold onto his boots and brim until I invested in my own. Since then, I’ve been wearing my boots and brim.”
Ruffin believes when members of the public see a law enforcement officer wearing a cowboy hat they think of the Texas Rangers, the TV series “Gunsmoke” and spaghetti western star Clint Eastwood.
The sheriff said he used to wear a three-piece suit and tie. That changed one day at Leggett’s Grill in Buena Vista.
“When I started wearing the hat, I went to Leggett’s Grill in the Askewville community and several of the patrons acknowledged the hat and told me that I no longer needed to wear the suit,” Ruffin said. “Since then, I’ve backed away from dressing up to come to work and let the cowboy hat be the signature to let you know that the sheriff is here.”
Because of his new look, Ruffin said he’ll sometimes tell citizens “there’s a new sheriff in town.”
“It’s been a great thing even in the community because I see that the citizens love it, and the citizens of Bertie are proud of their sheriff,” he said. “This hat has been a noticeable signature because when I walk through the door, you can hear the citizens say, ‘There’s the sheriff.’ I’ve been in some places where citizens will say ‘got to get my picture with my sheriff.’ I think the look fits me.”
Kids are just as intrigued by Ruffin’s new look.
“The kids love the hat. They love it, especially because they actually know who I am,” Ruffin said. “I spend a lot of time trying to build relationships with the youth and when they see the sheriff coming with the cowboy hat, you can hear the excitement in their voice. Most importantly, I believe that in some of their minds, they are saying that they would love to be like cowboy Sheriff Ruffin when they grow up.”
Ruffin said he’s not actively encouraging other sheriffs to follow his lead, but he has noticed some interest among other sheriffs in changing their headgear.
“I have seen sheriffs throughout the nation periodically wear a cowboy hat, but since I’ve started wearing one here in Bertie, I believe I’ve started a trend throughout the state with other sheriffs,” he said.
Ruffin recalls the reaction he received from other sheriffs after attending a recent law enforcement conference.
“It seems the more I network, sheriffs across the state have said, ‘I need to get me a hat,’” he said. “A few days later (after the conference) I received the picture from another sheriff letting me know they have their hats. Whenever I get a picture it puts a smile on my face.”
It seems Ruffin and the other sheriffs aren’t the only ones donning cowboy hats these days.
According to Trendalytics, a national data company, social buzz for cowboy hats has increased by 400% compared to this time last year. The platform attributes the rise of “cowboy-core” to Miley Cyrus, the singer-entertainer.
Ruffin said he has talked with other sheriffs who are considering establishing a special day where everyone in their office is allowed to wear a cowboy hat to work. Ruffin has not implemented the idea in Bertie, but he loves it.
“My goal is to be a great sheriff, and to know that small things like this is something that will bring a positive name for Bertie, makes me feel good,” he said. “It’s a wonderful feeling when you walk into a local business and citizens approach you with a big smile and say, ‘That’s my sheriff.’
Ruffin also believes the attention he gets from wearing a cowboy hat helps Bertie and its sheriff’s office.
“I love to network, and I network throughout the state of North Carolina, so that if we ever need additional resources here in Bertie, our law enforcement partners will remember the cowboy Sheriff Ruffin,” he said.
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