sheriff andrew jackson "andy" taylor is sheriff and justice of the peace of mayberry. he is genial, good-natured and endears himself to the townsfolk with an air of good will, polite charm and keeps the peace by using common sense. he refuses to wear a gun or formalize his uniform with a tie, as he feels a relaxed image makes him more approachable. andy is a widower with a young son, opie, and tries to raise him with good sense and good values. also in his home is his paternal aunt bee who arrives in the home shortly after the previous housekeeper, rose, marries and moves away. although a widower, andy has a steady string of girlfriends, but his longest-lasting relationship is with helen crump, opie's teacher, whom he eventually marries, moves out of mayberry with, becomes a u.s. postal inspector, and moves back to mayberry and runs for sheriff.