County officials reflect on the life of beloved Wiregrass anchor, reporter
WIREGRASS (WDHN) — The death of WDHN’s Mike Gurspan, a staple in the local news industry especially in the western Wiregrass, had Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd and Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms devastated beyond measure Wednesday evening.
“It was a sad day it’s one thing to say we are all going to die but when you die it’s reality that Mike had to leave us so early,” Sheriff Byrd said.
“I was deeply saddened we were in the office when we got the news and everybody was just shocked we had a long relationship,” Sheriff Helms said.
Gurspan died at 66 years old from glioblastoma he was diagnosed with a brain tumor last November after seeing double vision.
Mike Gurspan, TV reporter who covered the Wiregrass region for decades, dies
He underwent surgery to get 95% of the tumor removed and was going through chemotherapy before passing away.
The death is weighing heavy on the heart of a U.S. Senator from Coffee County, Katie Britt, who released a statement.
“Mike Gurspan was a pillar of the Wiregrass and a true credit to his profession. I can’t imagine tuning into the local news in my hometown and not seeing him doing what he loved. I saw firsthand not only the unwavering dedication and integrity that he committed to his craft, but the earnest care he showed to the community for decades. Our prayers are with his family and his countless friends as they mourn this tremendous loss,” Senator Britt said.
Although he’s from New York and kicked off his broadcasting career anchoring and reporting news and sports in Panama City Florida, during his time in Dothan he spent over 30 years covering his home area – Geneva and Coffee Counties.
He loved covering the commission meetings.
“He covered a lot of small human interest stories even after all the time he had been reporting and all that he’s been through with some major stories in this area he still found time to do the small stories,” says Sheriff Helms.
Last November, the Coffee County Commission gave him an expression of appreciation for consistent coverage.
“He loved the Wiregrass, the local people and helping people around here who had a story,” said Byrd.
But Bryd says Gurspan is a part of his story, he says he was pivotal in getting him to run for sheriff because he was reluctant to run against an incumbent.
“He helped me get in this seat right here he let the people know who I was because you can be great but if the people don’t know about you it just don’t work that way, he’s going to be missed,” Byrd says.
Both sheriffs say Gurspan is a local television news legend and they will miss him stopping by his office for a work-related story or if it’s just a personal matter.
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