Texas Sheriff Will Not Implement Trendy 'No Hug' Policy

ANDERSON, TX — Don Sowell grew up in Grimes County and graduated Navasota High School 50 years ago. He became the county's first Republican sheriff in the 1990's when Grimes was a solid blue Democrat stronghold. He's a no-nonsense, Andy Griffith-style sheriff who won his most recent election by a landslide. And his message to the county on Monday says he still believes in chivalry.

As sexual assault and harassment claims sweep the country and folks walk on egg shells in delicate situations, some government entities like the Nueces County, Texas Sheriff's Department have announced "no hug" policies. Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin announced on social media last week he would no longer offer hugs to anyone outside family and close friends.

Sowell in Grimes County, on the other hand, announced just the opposite on Monday. The sheriff who has an Andy Griffith ring tone and was the president of the Sheriffs Association of Texas had a message on the department's Facebook Page.

The following is the response on Facebook from Sheriff Sowell:

"I have noticed recently that a Texas Sheriff initiated a “No Hug” policy due to the outbreak of sexual harassment issues around our country.

I’d like to inform anyone that may be concerned about this topic that in Grimes County Texas, we will never have a “No Hug” policy.

Here in Grimes County chivalry is not dead, and we tip our hats to the ladies, we open doors for them, and we hug unless the recipient prefers a hand shake, which is sometimes the case.

As a gentleman raised by my Mother, she would be awfully disappointed to hear that I implemented a “No Hug” policy as I, and most people I know, come from an atmosphere that hugs are legal as well as laughter.

Sometimes you just have to laugh and shake your head. I am not going to disappoint my Mother, so we will keep on giving “Hugs” in Grimes County, Texas."

Best of Regards,
Sheriff Don Sowell
Grimes County, Texas

The following is from Sheriff Jim Kaelin's Facebook account from Nov. 29:

Jim Kaelin
November 29 at 12:10pm
To my FB friends let me say this to you... my hugging days (outside family and or close friends) are over. Sad, but you just don't know when this hug might come back and bite you. The workplace, for one, can become hostile if an employee "feels" threatened by your hugs...SO IT'S OVER. In the future I will offer a hand shake, or knuckle bump, but NO MORE HUGS. It might offend you that I will no longer participate in hugging you, but I have decided to discontinue receiving/giving hugs from anyone outside of my family and close friends. I hope you understand. Thanks...I'm from the old school but the time has come for me... No more hugs.

Image via Grimes County Sheriff's Department