By Lance Gaither

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

Boyle County Constable and former firefighter Randall Riley loved serving his community.

“From the military to any other way he could, he wanted to help people,” said his son-in-law, Malcolm Miller. “He was a volunteer firefighter until he couldn’t do it any more. Whether it was a fire fighter, constable, or just a friend, he would help you any way he could.”

Riley, who died Sept. 18 at age 75, graduated from Boyle County High School in 1966 before serving in the U.S. Army, including two years in Vietnam. When his time in the military ended, he eventually served the residents of Boyle County as both a constable and lieutenant with the Boyle County Fire Department after a 36-year career as an engineer with Norfolk-Southern railroad.

Throughout that time, Riley always found the time to volunteer at events throughout the county.

“He was one of those people where if he saw a need he would try to step in a help somebody,” Miller said. “It gave him self-satisfaction to lend a hand when necessary. A life on the railroad is hard. To want to be a public servant on top that speaks really loudly about your desire to help people. My wife told me a story from when she was a kid and he literally gave them the shirt off his back because he was in need.”

Randall Riley