Tyler

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace James Cowart said Thursday afternoon it appears Gary Lile, former Smith County Low Risk Jail administrator, suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest area this morning.

Lile was found dead at his home north of Lindale this morning. Cowart said he sent Lile’s body to Southwest Forensics in Dallas for an autopsy.

Lile and three others were fired last week after an internal investigation into using inmates to work on personal property, misusing county funds and using county equipment and fuel for their personal use was turned over to the Texas Rangers to see if criminal charges were warranted in the case.

Lile, 57, is remembered for his good nature, sense of humor and his willingness to help anyone in need. Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith said the early morning death was tragic and difficult to handle.

“We are certainly shocked, because Lt. Liles was part of this family and he was loved and respected by the people he worked with,” the sheriff said.

The former lieutenant was with the sheriff’s department for 12 years and served as the police chief in Winnsboro prior to being hired by Smith County.

Smith would not confirm how Lile died at his home this morning, but did say the Texas Rangers were handling the case at the time.

“We treat every case such as this as a homicide until we have ruled out everything,” he said. “I won’t get into the specifics.”

Smith said he was personally saddened by the events of the past month, but wanted to concentrate on the good memories he had of Lile.

“He touched numerous lives as a police officer not only with this agency, but with Winnsboro. He was a great man and that’s how I think of him,” he said.

Smith chuckled when he thought about Lile’s sense of humor.

“He had a great sense of humor and was always having fun and poking fun at other people. He could take a joke and give one out the same,” the sheriff said.

Updated Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. CDT