Staff Sgt. Ricky Sheppard Sr. is home on leave from the Middle East. Sheppard is attached to the 1177th Transportation Unit from LaGrange, Ga. Sheppard is also a 19-year employee of the Decatur County Correction Institute. He is married to Evelyn Sheppard of Bainbridge and the father of former football Bearcats Keith Pryor, Zenard Pryor, Malcolm Sheppard, Ricky Sheppard Jr. and Nicholas Sheppard.