by: Delilah Kelly

In a nation breaking apart, a family remained united.[1]

March 1861

Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane was patrolling in the county. The spring air would have been almost perfect had not it been for these rumors of war hanging around. He sighed deeply. Mixed feelings of love for this land and of sorrow for the tribulations to come oppressed his heart in his chest. But he knew that things could not go on forever that way. He knew that the present state of affairs could not continue. The Northern Union was putting more and more pressure on the Confederate States. No, things could not go on like this and he knew that the day was coming closer and closer when everything would break up.

His horse had led him towards the Evans farm. A path he knew very well. For few months already, Rosco was dating Joe Evans’ daughter, Katrina. He had noticed her at church, few days after her sixteenth birthday. He had found her real pretty, a real young lady now. He had fallen in love with her right on the spot. He had approached her since then and much to his surprise, the girl had accepted him as her suitor, though he was much older than her. He was in his early forties now and still unmarried. Time for me to get a wife, he had thought then. Unfortunately for him, he was the County Sheriff only, his estate was made up of only a house with some bits of land around – not even a farm. And though he was one of the most powerful men in the County, he could not pretend to marry a planter’s daughter. He had no slaves on his own, not even one or two, like many farmers did. He was living with his mother and his younger cousin, MaryAnne, who was his Deputy too.

By the time he had noticed Katrina, Rosco was desperate to find a wife. He thought too that even old Joe Evans would not consider him as a possible husband for his daughter. But Rosco was too harsh on himself and he quickly discovered that the farmer would accept him gladly. After all, to be kin with the County Sheriff would not be a bad move… Joe Evans was a shrewd farmer and he had heartily agreed to this courtship. He did not object to the age difference between Rosco and Katrina. In these times, girls used to marry around sixteen or seventeen, sometimes at fifteen, no matter what the age of the man could be. Evans was aware too that his own daughter could not marry a planter’s son either. His family was not even invited to the barbecues planters used to organize in their sumptuous houses.

Nonetheless, Katrina Evans was considered around Hazzard County as a good girl, with many a quality, talented and helpful, nice and good looking. Her father had a good farm, yielding a good income and he owned two slaves. With his wife, he was typical of these Southerners with average income they drew from land and farming. He was not considered a poor White though he did not belong to the upper class of planters. He was not planting cotton nor rice either, he only raised some cattle and grew other farm products such as corn, wheat and vegetables. He produced also some delicious goat cheese famous all over the County. His dairy products were widely sold around Hazzard and even up to Atlanta. At last, he used to make some moonshine too, lining his pockets that way should the need for cash arose – or just for the pleasure of making and selling one of the finest moonshine made in the County.

Old Joe Evans had also another concern. Boss Hogg, the Hazzard County Commissioner, was very much tempted to get his hands on his land no matter what. If the farmer’s daughter married the Sheriff, Hogg could not get the Evans land and farm as the County Commissioner was kin to Rosco too. His wife Lulu was no other than the Sheriff’s elder sister. By marrying Rosco, Katrina would become kin to Hogg too and the County Commissioner could not then deprive his in-laws of their sole source of income.

Evans was a pragmatic man. He encouraged his daughter to see the Sheriff as much as possible – though fair and square. Rosco did not mind, unaware of the maneuver, even more unaware of it that Katrina was happy to date him too. The girl was not aware of her father’s plans either and she felt honored to have drawn the County Sheriff’s attention.

Rosco’s heart lightened a bit thinking of Katrina. He had planned for few weeks already to claim her to the old Joe. But now with these rumors of war becoming more and more powerful around, he felt some kind of urgency. He had to make up his mind now. He sighed deeply, taking in the view of the rolling red hills of Georgia. Suddenly, a burst of pride for his country tightened his heart in his chest. A small grin appeared on his lips. The sweet scents of Spring were all around, the birds were chirping, a light breeze was moving the leaves on the trees. In the distance, Rosco could hear the chants of the slaves working in a nearby plantation. The cotton was on its way and in few weeks, the red hills would be covered by small white puffs. Yeah, life here in Hazzard County, Georgia, was indeed a blessing.

Rosco made a snap decision. He spurred his horse towards the Evans farmstead, leaving a small red dust cloud behind him. Yeah, he should not lose too much time before war might break out, before life here might change forever. He wanted to live this dream along with Katrina, no matter what the future had in stock for the Confederacy – and for them both.

Rosco arrived in front of the Evans farm. He dismounted his horse when he saw Mrs. Evans sweeping the front porch. He grinned at her and tipped his black cowboy hat out of politeness to greet her. If his plans worked fine, the lady would soon become his mother-in-law.

“Hello Sheriff !” the woman said. “You’re looking for Katrina, I guess ?”

Rosco realized how much he had become part of the family – in a sense. His grin went broader.

“Err… well… in fact, I’d like to see your husband, Mrs. Evans.”

The woman looked at him with a little smile. Has he made up his mind at last ? she could help thinking. “He’s in the barn. You may meet him there.”

“Alright, thanks, Mrs. Evans,” Rosco replied. Perfect, we’re gonna be on our own for what I’ve got to ask. He went to the barn and while his steps led him there, he remembered when he had kissed Katrina for the first time. It had happened in the barn. She was working there when he had surprised her. The surprise had been so complete for her that she had felt afraid then – and had conveniently fallen between his arms…

Rosco entered the barn, the sweet memory still vivid in his mind. “Mr. Evans ?” he hailed.

“Yeah, here !” a male voice replied to him.

The Sheriff went to the end of the barn where Joe Evans was removing some hay. Both men greeted each other.

“Guess you came to see Katrina,” the farmer said casually.

“No… well, yes… in fact… I wanted to see you, Mr. Evans.”

The farmer looked at Rosco with his grey eyes. “Serious business ?”

“Yeah,” Rosco replied. “I want to marry Katrina.”

Joe Evans could not help grinning. He was expecting that proposal to come one day or so. “Was wondering how long it’ll take fer ya to propose her,” he said with a joking voice.

“That means you… you agree to give her to me then ?”

“Yes, I agree to give you my daughter, Sheriff.”

Rosco refrained from yelling out of joy. He only fidgeted with his black cowboy hat, now blushing like a young boy. Old Evans noticed it and led him outside, a firm hand on his shoulder. “Let’s announce it to Katrina.”

Both men had stepped out of the barn when Katrina went out the house. “Rosco !” she shouted his name before throwing herself at him. The Sheriff had just enough time to catch her between his arms. “Eh, sweetheart !”

“Daughter, yer timing’s good so far, my pet. Our Sheriff’s here with some good news fer ya,” he said cryptically, but with a grin nonetheless.

Katrina’s green gaze locked onto her suitor’s crystal blue gaze. She read everything in these blue gems of his.

“Will you become my wife, Katrina ?” Rosco asked softly.

Katrina was not expecting that one and she remained mute for few seconds. But her eyes were speaking for herself. Rosco tightened his embrace around her waist. “Oh Rosco !” she could only utter.

“So, what do you decide, sweetheart ? Do you still want an ol’ thing like me ?”

Katrina smiled at him. “Don’t speak like that ! You ain’t old to me !” She paused and slowly, forgetful of everything and everyone around, she put a delicate kiss on his lips. “Is that enough of a consent, Rosco ?”

“That should do,” Rosco replied with a charming grin on his lips. He seized her petite frame between his arms and made her whirl up to the moment when her petticoats and underpinnings could be seen – which always made her laugh heartily.

“Well, I suppose this is a concluded business,” old Joe Evans said.

Rosco and Katrina did not hear him. They were exchanging a kiss that left Evans wonder about his daughter and the Sheriff… Maybe I should have kept an eye on them two… Well, guess now ‘tis no more important as he’s gonna marry her…

Mrs. Evans invited everybody inside the house for some lemonade. Joe Evans had also invited Rosco for the lunch and the Sheriff had agreed when he was told that Katrina had made some pastries. He was really fond of her cooking too.

The meal was joyful and the Evans discussed the matter of the coming wedding with Rosco. They decided that the marriage should take place quickly, in two or three weeks’ time. The Sheriff agreed to that arrangement.

“By the way, where’s Phil ?” Rosco asked.

“He’s drilling with the Hazzard Regiment,” replied Joe Evans proudly. “He should be back later in the afternoon.”

Rosco made a face. He had forgotten he had to be there too ! He did not show it and was ready to reply he was already on duty, should the Evanses raise the question about his own drilling. Rosco was part of the Hazzard Regiment – he even was a lieutenant there. A talented planter had been elected captain and although he was no planter himself, Rosco had been chosen anyway as an officer, for his qualities. But he did not want to go to war. He would go because he loved his country but he did not believe in war to sort out nation problems. Nonetheless, he carefully hid his opinion. Only Katrina was aware of his views. They exchanged a quick glance together. Obviously, the Hazzard Sheriff did not share his future brother-in-law’s exaltation for military things…

Katrina had quickly become Rosco’s confident. He had noticed her for her beauty but he soon discovered that she was a mature girl – despite her being sixteen only. She could keep a secret and she shared many of his views. Like many women, she was feeling distressed by the mention of war. But like many Southern women, she would support the Cause of the Confederacy the best way she could – even if in Rosco’s opinion, this cause was a lost cause right from the start.

April 1861

Today was the big day for both Rosco and Katrina. They were getting married. Folks from all over Hazzard County had come to the small church for the wedding between their Sheriff and a sixteen-years-old bride.

Katrina was beautiful in her mother’s wedding gown. Mrs. Evans had rearranged a bit the dress to make it more to the times’ fashion. The girl was even more beautiful and Rosco’s heart had missed one or two beats when he saw her entering the church, at her father’s arms. Old Evans placed her besides the Sheriff, in front of the preacher. Rosco was himself dressed up very elegantly, his shiny silver star pinned on his jacket, symbol of his position and authority.

They both exchanged their vows in front of everyone. Even the rich planters had come. After all, Rosco was the County Sheriff and he deserved everyone came to his wedding as a tribute to his service to the population around.

Then when everything was over, Rosco brought his wife to his own home. Katrina kissed goodbye to her parents, her elder brother Phil, a boy aged twenty. She had also been welcomed by Rosco’s own family, Mrs. Coltrane first who was getting desperate, even afraid she may die one day without seeing her own son married. Now one of her dearest wishes was fulfilled thanks to Katrina and she was happy to welcome the girl at the Coltrane homestead.

MaryAnne, Rosco’s cousin, was also happy to see Rosco married. She loved her cousin more than everything else and seeing him being so happy, made her happy too. She kissed her new in-law on the cheek and welcomed her like a sister. She was one year only older than Katrina, and having some female company of her age at home would prove funny, though both girls were completely different in temperament. While MaryAnne spent her days outside in the saddle, carrying out her duties as a Deputy Sheriff, Katrina was rather belonging to a house, cooking, sewing, gardening and farming, taking care of everyone around her. But this sharp contrast between the girls did not prevent them from becoming friends. Moreover, Katrina had an inborn admiration for MaryAnne. She found her so much brave and resourceful. She tended to look up at MaryAnne like she would do with an elder sister full of wisdom, courage and experience.

The only one not to be really happy with that wedding was of course Boss Hogg. Now his brother-in-law had married that Evans girl, he could kiss goodbye to his schemes regarding the Evans land and farm. He had tried to persuade Rosco that she was too young for him and all that kind of arguments. But Rosco was said to be stubborn in the County and true to his type, he did not change his mind regarding marrying Katrina. Moreover, Lulu was on her brother’s side, and she clinched the argument once and for all when she declared that she would have at least one honest nephew one day.

Rosco and Katrina spent their first night together in his bedroom. With the rumors of war coming closer and closer, they had both deemed not prudent to leave for a honeymoon. Maybe in the future… when all that crisis was over. Besides, Rosco did not want to leave his County unattended. He deemed that MaryAnne was still too young to assume the duties of a Sheriff – though she was taking care of all the writing part of the job. Rosco was a man of action and staying in an office was not much his taste. So he had gladly delegated that administrative part to his younger cousin.

Katrina did not care. Where Rosco was, she was happy. They were both so much in love with each other, that was so plain to see for everyone. Rosco had been gentle and careful with her on their first night together and the following morning, Katrina had waken up as a woman, coiling snuggly against the man that had become her husband. She smiled out of contentment when thinking of the night… and the love they had made. She had enjoyed it a lot – to Rosco’s great pleasure. He was so much a sweetie – much more than his position or his sometimes gruff behavior would have allowed to think.

But this happiness was short lived. Few days later, the war broke out between the States, and like many men in the County, Rosco had to leave his home and his wife, much to his regret.
Rosco had to join the Hazzard Regiment where he was to serve as a lieutenant. All the men of the County, in age to bear arms, were voluntarily enlisted. The regiment officers were instructed to be ready to leave anytime. For few days, they did not know where they would be sent but the Regiment captain assured them they would know before being sent away. Rosco had some men under his orders, among them the Duke boys, the three Davenports, Phil Evans – his now brother-in-law – and some other folks in the county. The Sheriff was not very keen on going to war but he had sworn in himself he would do everything in his power to protect his men and bring them back all alive. The other officers had agreed that the war would not last long and that they would all be back there for the last bales of cotton to be picked up.

Rosco was not that sure but he kept it for himself. He was nonetheless ready. Katrina had sewn him a grey uniform, while Mrs. Coltrane had embroidered the patch of the Hazzard Regiment on it. Few days after mobilization orders were given, the Hazzard Regiment knew where they were supposed to go. They had been dispatched to join General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Virginia. Everyone in the County agreed to the fact that the man was a soldier of great value and a smart strategy.

Rosco left his home after painful farewells. Things had not been easy and on the night before, he had retreated to his bedroom with Katrina earlier, so that they could enjoy once more a night together. Rosco did not care if he were to be tired on the following morning : he did not want to leave his wife without giving her all the love he had in himself.

But on the day after, Rosco and Katrina woke up together early and they had their breakfast in the kitchen. Katrina wanted to share with him all the daily little things up to the very last moment, the moment they would have to part. They were soon joined by Mrs. Coltrane and MaryAnne. The young cousin had cried a good deal of the night over her elder cousin. Her eyes were red and Katrina noticed it at once. But she remained silent. She did not want to spoil that moment with Rosco and she was sure to cry herself if she made the remark to MaryAnne. They only exchanged a gaze that told it all.

MaryAnne soon left the breakfast table to get her horse and Rosco’s mount ready. She was dressed up as usual, in her Deputy Sheriff’s outfit. Lulu arrived to bid goodbye to her ‘baby brother’ and giving him her last recommendations like when he was still a young boy. It coaxed a smile out of Rosco anyway. Boss was with her too and he hugged Rosco against him, telling him he’d better come back quickly.

The Sheriff kissed his mother but his last moment was for Katrina and MaryAnne. He first went to the stables where his horse and MaryAnne’s were kept.

“MaryAnne…” he started unsure.

She had an unexpected gesture. She threw herself against her cousin. She had a bad feeling about that war. They had never talked about it together but she would have agreed totally with her cousin should they have shared their views on the matter. She was not sure at all about the Confederacy’s ability to win the war.

“Rosco… promise me to be careful, okay ?” MaryAnne said through her tears.

He held her tight against him. “I will, sweetheart, I will. Don’tcha worry.” He wanted to sound reassuring but it did not work obviously. “MaryAnne… please… be courageous… I know yer a brave girl. Just promise me one thing.”

MaryAnne watched her cousin and sniffled another time. “Everything you want, Rosco.”

“Awright. Promise me you’ll look after Katrina first thing. For me. Please.”

MaryAnne was quite surprised. She expected him to ask her to look after the County folks, or even after his mother and his sister. Their similar blue eyes locked onto each other for long seconds. “I will, Rosco.”

“Good. I won’t ask you about the County. You’re already doing so fine in this regard. I know you’ll honor that badge. I trust you and your abilities.”

MaryAnne smiled. Rosco had always encouraged her even when she had asked him to work with him as his Deputy. He had been surprised first then but he had to reckon very quickly that she was a valuable asset in his Sheriff’s Department. He knew how to make her smile when needed. Like now for example.

Rosco left the stables to kiss his wife goodbye. Katrina was waiting for him under the front porch. She was alone, entirely his for few minutes more.

“Katrina… love, please be careful, alright ?”

She raised her tearful green gaze to him. She put her head on his shoulder.

“Oh Rosco… you should be careful !” she started to sob.

“Katrina, please, I know you can be courageous a girl. Show me yer brave,” Rosco said while taking her chin between his fingers. He put a light kiss on her lips. “Katrina, as a token of my love fer ya… please just take this.”

Rosco took her hand in his and opened her fist. Katrina soon felt a cold, hard object against her skin. When she saw what it was, she gasped. His shiny Sheriff’s silver star.

“Oh Rosco ! You can’t…”

“Hush, sweetheart. A token of my love fer ya. Besides, it’ll protect ya.”

“But what will protect ya, my beloved Sheriff ?” Katrina asked worriedly.

Rosco smiled. “Coltrane luck, as usual. Besides, I can’t have it on me. I’m no more a Sheriff. I’m a lieutenant in the Confederate States Army now. That’s all.”

“But you should have given it to MaryAnne ! She deserves it better than anybody else around !”

“Naw, my sweet Georgia peach. MaryAnne’s got one of her own. Just keep it with ya, yer the best person I know around that I could entrust it with.”

Katrina lowered her gaze to the shiny silver star. She sniffled once more and wiped away her tears. Rosco took her chin for another kiss. The kiss became soon very passionate, very amorous. His arms engulfed her and Katrina held her husband tight against her, his Sheriff’s star still in her hand. In the distance, they heard Dixie being played. Gently, Rosco broke the kiss.

“Gotta go, my peach. Katrina, please, do me a last favor : take care of MaryAnne. She’s sometimes so much… brave… so little afraid. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

Katrina smiled. If there was one person in the County that would make the Devil himself run for cover, it would surely be MaryAnne ! She was so much intrepid, so fearless. “I will, Rosco, I will.” Of course, she had no idea that Rosco had asked the same to MaryAnne about looking after her…

MaryAnne was approaching with Rosco’s horse. Rosco parted from his wife’s embrace painfully and his eyes still in her eyes, he mounted. Katrina rushed to him. “I love you, Rosco.”

“I love you, Katrina.” Rosco leant to her for a last kiss. Then he gently spurred his horse and left the Coltrane property. MaryAnne and Katrina came closer to each other to watch him go. they were both crying and their hands touched each other in a comforting gesture.

Summer 1861

Few weeks later, Katrina discovered that she was pregnant. She was both happy and anxious. Would her child know its father ? Would Rosco come back home one day ? The South felt elated with the first Confederate victories – though lists of killed and wounded and missed-in-action soldiers were important. It had become a ritual : when such lists were published, MaryAnne and Katrina left everything they were currently doing and they both proceeded to the Hazzard Sheriff’s station where the lists were displayed. Their relief was intense when they could not find ‘Coltrane, Rosco P.’ written on. Then Katrina came back home quickly to advise Mrs. Coltrane that she still had a son, while MaryAnne was rushing to Lulu’s place for the same news. Lulu was too anxious herself to go and read the list on her own.

Things were also becoming tough for Hazzard County Sheriff’s Department – or what was left thereof. Rosco was gone, and so were Deputies Enos Strate – who had married Daisy Duke in a haste prior to mobilization – and Cletus Hogg. MaryAnne was the only one to remain and she was well aware that had she been a man, she would have left the place too. Hazzard County was without a lawman, except for herself. She was overworked and understaffed.

Katrina could see it. She remembered the promise she had made to Rosco, to take care of MaryAnne. So one day, she proposed the young woman to help her. But MaryAnne knew what she needed most : a group of men – not children or elderly people – to help her patrol the County. She had no use at all of a pregnant woman she deemed too much impressible. But few days later, she came back to Katrina. She may not have use of a young pregnant woman in the saddle, but this same young pregnant woman could help her surely with all the administrative duties of a Sheriff’s Department.

Katrina agreed heartily and one evening, both women left their house to go to the Sheriff’s station. There, MaryAnne explained to Katrina everything pertaining to writs and summons and any paperwork in use in a County.

“Just sit there,” she told her while showing her Rosco’s chair behind his desk. Katrina was impressed but when she sat, she felt something new in her mind. The feeling that she was indeed able to do it and that Rosco would be proud of her. MaryAnne explained her the main legalities and she was very happy to see that Katrina understood things quickly. She did not need to be explained things twice. And she had a lovely handwriting, not too much feminine but rather mature and firm.

It had become an habit : three or four evenings per week, depending on the workload, Katrina went to the County courthouse to take care of the Sheriff’s paperwork. She was riding in the family buggy, her state not allowing her to ride a horse, escorted by MaryAnne on her way to a last patrol downtown. She used to spend two or three hours there, sorting out papers, filling in writs and summons, registering several deeds, auctions and the like. She would work up to MaryAnne’s return from the last night patrol and both women would come back to the Coltrane homestead together, MaryAnne riding besides the buggy.

It went on like this for several weeks. Up to the time when Boss Hogg himself surprised Katrina in Rosco’s office, busy with writs to be served on the day after – a duty MaryAnne carried out herself.

“Katrina Coltrane !” he almost shouted, surprised to see her there.

Katrina raised her head, startled by the shout. “Oh my ! Mr. Hogg, you almost scared the beejezus outta me !”

“What are ya doing here ?”

Katrina would have poked fun at him for his question but she refrained from doing so, realizing that only she and MaryAnne were aware of their ‘little arrangement’, as both ladies used to call it together. She suddenly felt unsure as what to say.

“Well… I help MaryAnne only. She’s alone and she could not make it all on her own.”

Boss Hogg knew that war had depleted his Sheriff’s Department. He came closer to her to read what she was doing. Katrina let him do.

“But… you’re… doing Sheriff’s work !”

“Well, Mr. Hogg, I ain’t here writing love letters to Rosco, ya know,” she said almost jokingly. “Though I’d like to do so if only I knew where to send them love letters,” she ended with a regretful tone.

“That’s not what I had in mind !” Boss fumed. “You’re doing Sheriff’s business while ya ain’t sworn in for that ! That’s what I had in mind !”

Katrina had not seen things from that perspective. She had only considered her promise to Rosco to take care of MaryAnne – and alleviate the young Deputy’s burden was part of it. Such technicalities like being sworn in had not even crossed her mind. She thought for a second or two that MaryAnne was surely aware of that detail but she had not bothered her with that. After all, Boss was not supposed to show up at the courthouse on evenings.

“Listen, Mr. Hogg,” Katrina said while standing up slowly. “I wasn’t sworn in, that’s for sure. But there’s a promise I made which I intent to keep anyway…”

“Which is ?” Boss asked, still angry for having been left out of the loop.

“I’ve sworn to Rosco I’d take care of MaryAnne. I deem relieving her of some of her duties by sharing the tasks, is indeed part of the promise I made.”

Her tone was cooler now. She was looking at the County Commissioner frankly in the eyes. They remained silent for long seconds. Katrina brought her shawl around her body. Her pregnancy was known only of her own mother, Mrs. Coltrane, Lulu and MaryAnne, who had all sworn to keep silent on that issue. She did not want Boss Hogg to discover her condition. Working in the evenings was convenient in that regard: nobody was there to see her waist getting thicker and thicker as months were passing by. She had lifted up her crinoline loops a bit too so that her belly could not be seen.

Boss Hogg broke the silence. “That’s okay. I suspected you were doing all this for that purpose.” He glanced at the writ she was writing when he had surprised her in the Sheriff’s office. “At least, your handwriting’s far better than Rosco’s. Folks will understand what it’s all about at last.”

Katrina wanted to smile at Boss’ funny remark. She had perceived she and MaryAnne had just won the set. “Oh Mr. Hogg! Rosco can write fine when it counts !” she said jokingly.

He laughed with her. “Well, in the letters he sends to y’all, I guess so…” Silence fell again between them. “Awright. You may go on with that arrangement of yours with MaryAnne. You Coltranes drive me nuts. When Rosco’s not here, I still have his female relatives on my back. Lulu, MaryAnne and now, you ! Just make sure that County folks won’t know anything about this ! G’night !” He left the office while chomping on his cigar and closed the door behind him.

Katrina let off a deep sigh. She even chuckled a bit. She let herself fall in the Sheriff’s chair, her hand on one of her sides. She had had a bad idea of standing up when Boss Hogg had come in the office, as the baby was making some riff-raff in her womb then. But she had managed to remain in control of herself. She had been hardly sick at the early stages of her pregnancy. But she realized that this evening, the baby’s movements could have betrayed her. She let few minutes elapse, time for her to appease the little one inside herself, before coming back to her duties. She glanced at the clock on the wall. MaryAnne should be back in about half an hour. She had enough time to finish the writ. She also decided to tell MaryAnne that Boss had discovered their ‘little arrangement’.

Boss Hogg was what he was. But he remained silent on the matter. And so Katrina continued to fill in the administrative part of Sheriff’s duties. And for months, Hazzard folks did not have the least clue that in fact, their Sheriff’s Department was run by two young women.