<Tr> <Td> Burgess Meredith </Td> <Td> Judge Cully </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Stuart Culpepper </Td> <Td> Judge Henry Sims </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Joe Don Baker </Td> <Td> Captain Tom Dugan - A retired Mississippi Highway Patrol police captain, Dugan appeared on the last four episodes of the second season . Baker was brought in as a stand - in for Carroll O'Connor while O'Connor was recovering from open heart surgery . Dugan was placed in the department by the FBI to uncover a plot by white supremacists to assassinate a civil rights leader . Dugan was murdered by these same white supremacists at the end of the second season . Dugan's godson, who had become involved with these people, later agreed to help the police . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ron Culbreth </Td> <Td> Sheriff Nathan McComb - the former county sheriff . Culbreth appeared on nine episodes as Sheriff McComb . In the 7th season, McComb became too ill to continue his duties, and Gillespie was appointed as acting sheriff in his place . Prior to his appearances as McComb, Culbreth also appeared on the episode Missing in another guest role . </Td> </Tr>

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