MAGNOLIA, TX- Dressed in his signature starched shirt and cowboy hat, retired Sheriff Tommy Gage stood before a packed crowd Friday afternoon as Montgomery County leaders, colleagues, and citizens honored his 46-year legacy of service by renaming the Sheriff’s Office Magnolia Annex in his name.

The ceremony, opened by MCSO Chief Deputy Jonathan Zitzmann, paid tribute to a man widely regarded as a pillar of public safety and humility in Montgomery County.

“We’re here to honor a man who’s dedicated his life to serving and protecting the citizens of Montgomery County,” Zitzmann said. “This is a momentous occasion as we rename the Sheriff’s Office Magnolia Annex in recognition of Sheriff Tommy Gage’s remarkable career and impact.”

The event drew an impressive roster of public officials and community leaders, including County Judge Mark Keough, Commissioner Charlie Riley, current Sheriff Wesley Doolittle, several constables, local police chiefs, and representatives from state offices. Judge Keough led the crowd in a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for raising up leaders like Gage.

“Thank you for bringing us a man of such strength who could talk with the humblest of people and make them feel important,” Keough said. “He always called people by name and maintained an open-door policy.”

Commissioner Riley, who presented the proclamation commemorating Gage’s legacy, reflected on the Sheriff’s historical role in shaping a culture of safety in Montgomery County. “If you think about Gene Reeves, Joe Corley, and then you have Tommy Gage — they started the culture of deterrence that we carry on today,” Riley said.

Sheriff Doolittle, a close friend and mentee of Gage, delivered a powerful tribute during the dedication.

“It’s a true honor to stand with you today as we dedicate the Tommy Gage Annex here in Magnolia,” he said. “Sheriff Gage is more than a lawman. He is a mentor, a steady hand, and a servant leader. His legacy was not built for praise, but through quiet strength, sound judgment, and unwavering values—honesty, humility, and doing what’s right, even when it’s not easy.”

Doolittle surprised Gage with a commemorative “Tommy Gage Challenge Coin” inscribed with “The People’s Sheriff.” “This coin represents the values you’ve shown throughout your career – integrity, service, and leadership,” he said. “We want future generations to know your name and feel the impact you’ve made on this community.”

The highlight of the ceremony came as Sheriff Gage and Commissioner Riley unveiled the annex’s new sign and a bronze plaque bearing the Sheriff’s likeness—a permanent marker of a lifetime of public service.

Though no mere plaque could list all of Sheriff Gage’s accomplishments, it notes that he served as Sheriff from 2005 to 2017 and spent a total of 46 years serving Montgomery County. He was, and is, loved not only by the public, but also by the many Deputies and staff who served under his command.

Riley, known for his candor, offered both heartfelt praise and lighthearted humor in his remarks. “What you see here today is what you’ve seen for the last 45 years,” he said. “Tommy Gage is as genuine today as he was back then.”

Riley then joked about Sheriff Gage’s memory for names not being as good as Riley’s. The Commissioner recalled how the Sheriff would always greet someone whose name he couldn’t remember with a warm “Hey, Buddy” and a bear hug—something the crowd laughed and nodded at with fond recognition.

When Sheriff Gage finally took the podium, the audience erupted in cheers. Humble as always, Gage expressed deep gratitude and disbelief over the honor.

“I’m still in touch with so many people that I’ve worked with—people who will be friends until I take my last breath,” he said emotionally. “I see some people here today I haven’t had the chance to work with, and I hope to shake all their hands before I leave.”

Sheriff Doolittle returned to the microphone one final time to recognize someone critical to Gage’s journey—his wife, Ollie Nell, who stood proudly by her husband throughout his career. “She was his backup for all those years,” Doolittle said.

The ceremony concluded with the official ribbon-cutting and a tour of the newly renamed Tommy Gage Annex—now a physical embodiment of a man whose legacy will continue to shape Montgomery County for generations.

“May this building stand as a testament to your leadership, your faith, and the steady light you’ve been to this community,” Doolittle said. “May God bless you, and may Sheriff Gage continue to be a blessing in Montgomery County for many years to come.”