SMETHPORT — The McKean County Sheriff’s Office paid tribute to one of their own Friday morning, the late Corrections Officer Jim Renner, at a brief ceremony at the jail that included the unveiling of a memorial plaque at the base of a tree that was planted  in his memory within the last month.

Attending the service were Renner’s wife, Jessica, and children, Jacob, Jillian and Jenna; parents, Fritz and Jane Renner; sister Alicia; and brother, Todd; and friends, as well as staff members at the jail, and local law enforcement.

Renner, 44, of Turtlepoint, who passed away last year, served as a CO — a crucial job that receives very little public recognition — for more than 16 years, from January 2001 to June 2017.

In his opening remarks, Sheriff Dan Woods said, “Jim was a great friend.”

The Rev. “Gordy” Coppersmith of Emporium, chaplain at the jail and a personal and long-time friend of Renner’s, spoke briefly about their friendship. “Jim was a blessed friend, and we often talked,” he recalled. “We were two friends who loved to share smiles.”

Then, Coppersmith cited Psalms 118:24: “This is the day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad about. We are here to celebrate life and remember Jim’s legacy; there is a lot of love along with great memories.

“Don’t be afraid to cry,” said Coppersmith, a veteran of more than 30 years in the prison ministry with Deeper Waters Ministries Inc., “God understands tears.”

Recalling Renner’s personality, Coppersmith said, “If Jim could look down on us today, he would ask, ‘Why are those people down there? What did I do? I don’t deserve this.’”

“We think you do,” Coppersmith concluded.

Jacob Renner unveiled the plaque that is placed on the lawn in front of the jail.

Union employees at the jail paid for the plaque, while the other employees of the sheriff’s office donated funds for the young maple tree.

Light refreshments were available following the service.