Hawkinsville – Samuel Gary Tripp, age 79, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in the Taylor Regional Hospital in Hawkinsville. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. in the First Baptist Church in Hawkinsville. The family will greet friends from 1:00 P.M. until time for the service Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Pulaski-Bleckley Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Tripp, born in Eastman, had lived all of his life in Hawkinsville. He was the son of the late E.H., Sr. and Vera Thompson Tripp and was preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Tripp, Jr., his sisters, Hilda Tripp Scarborough, Maxine Tripp Grinstead, Geraldine Tripp Coody, Carolyn Tripp Grissom and Glenda Tripp Williams and his son-in-law, Riley Purser. He was a 1966 graduate of Hawkinsville High School. Samuel started his law enforcement career with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department for 5 years and served as Chief of Police for the City of Hawkinsville, retiring after 26 years, as the longest serving Chief of Police in Hawkinsville history. He attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA during his term as Hawkinsville Police Chief. After his retirement Samuel enjoyed teaching firearm classes and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors are his wife, Shannon C. Tripp of Hawkinsville; his children, Teesa (Stewart) Grizzard, Terri Tripp Purser and Tiffanee Tripp (Key) McGuire all of Cochran; his grandchildren, Samuel Payne (Layla) Tripp, Savannah Mason, Landon (Erica) Grizzard, Garrett (Brittany) Grizzard, Tripp (Taylor) Purser, William Riley Purser, Kelly Purser (Madison) Smith, Tricia Purser, Mia Lamb, Gracie Lamb, Grady Lamb and Clay McGuire; great grandchildren, Athena Tripp, Beau Riley Purser, Hazel Grizzard, Kinley Smith and Liam Purser; his brothers, Earl Ray (Patsy) Tripp of Hawkinsville and James Jackie Tripp of Cochran; several nieces and nephews.

The family is at 48 River Road East, Hawkinsville.