Community celebrates Deputy Matthew Doty
Memorial service held for Madison County Sheriff Deputy Doty
JACKSON, Tenn. — West Tennesseans gathered to say ‘goodbye’ to a protector and servant.
It has been just less than a month since Madison County Deputy Matthew Doty died in an off-duty motorcycle wreck.
Thursday, friends and strangers gathered to say ‘goodbye’ and ‘thank you’.
According to those close to the family Deputy Matthew Doty was not a fan of traditional funeral services.
He told his wife if he every passed away he wanted his service to be a celebration of life.
“Man, just get a jukebox, put my ashes up there and play some songs and tell some funny stories abut my life you know,” said Madison County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tom Mapes.
A jukebox, friends and family sharing a laugh…remembering the good times is all Deputy Matthew Doty wanted. And that is exactly what he got. “We need to remember him and all the fun he liked to have when he was supposed to be working,” said Doty’s second shift lieutenant.
Deputies who worked the second shift with Deputy Doty were at the service to support the man they called a brother.
According to Sheriff John Mehr, Doty was a man who did things his way, but was a pleasure to work with.
“I appreciate everything he did for the department. I never asked him to something he didn’t do,” said Sheriff Mehr.
At Doty’s memorial service, it was standing room only. Evidence of the community’s love.
“Overwhelming feeling to get the support from the community,” said Deputy Randall Blankenship. “We know that’s it’s out there it’s just nice to see.”
Although for some, Thursday’s service was about closure.
For the Doty family, it was their chance to show their gratitude for the support of friends and strangers.
“Every word that has been said to us has been very much appreciated,” said Doty’s wife, Linda. “So we want to say ‘thank you’.”
” About 250 people or so that knew him, worked with him for four to five years,” said Mapes. “To finally get together and say goodbye in a special way it was wonderful.”
Before the end of the service Madison County Sheriff John Mehr presented Taylor Doty with an American flag.
A line of well wishers was wrapped around the room to comfort the family.
A fund has been set up through the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation to help with college costs for Doty’s 14-year-old daughter, Taylor.
Those wishing to donate can send their contribution to the foundation’s “Taylor Doty Fund.”
