In the criminal justice system, little else is more important than the safety of a courthouse. That’s where Ernest Frazier steps in.

A lifelong Savannahian, Ernest Frazier served 14 years in the Army before taking over the front lines of Chatham County’s hallowed halls of justice. As a primary deputy (referred to as a bailiff in other circles) in the court of the Honorable John E. Morse Jr., Frazier has helped to command and ensure a safe environment for the court’s civil and criminal proceedings for the last 11 years.

The South magazine spoke with Frazier recently about the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth regarding life on the right side of the law.

The South magazine: How does your workday begin?

Ernest Frazier: The typical day for me begins at about 7 a.m. I want to make sure I have all the court documents, that I have a way to ensure that every inmate is in court once his name is called. With the personnel that’s assigned with me, I’ll search the courtroom for contraband. And I’ll go to the judge’s chambers for any additional instructions. Then I’ll open court for the judge, his staff and everyone in that courtroom.

TSM: How do you view your role within the judiciary?

EF: I play an important role in the community, giving the people of Chatham County and the judges a sense of safety. Providing the security for the judges and the citizens, that’s a very rewarding thing for me. I believe that I’m truly serving a purpose in the community.

TSM: What’s the most difficult courtroom situation you‘ve encountered?

EF: Once one of the guys came into court, and he basically had a razor blade in his mouth. Once he’d determined [what] the outcome of his case was going to be, he was going to use the razor blade. I discovered the razor blade myself and removed it from his mouth.

TSM: Any humorous or lighthearted stories?

EF: There’s a defendant that came to court for trial. After the jury’s guilty verdict, the defendant put the Bible in his hand and said, ‘God said, let’s get naked. Yeahhh-uhh.’ And he disrobed himself and exposed himself to the jury.

TSM: In open court?

EF: In open court, yes.

TSM: Oh, boy. What happened next?

EF: I had to subdue him and escort him out of the courtroom and into one of the secure lockup areas.