The sheriff of Virginia City. He's been there since before a lot of its residents were even born and is a friend to the Cartwrights.
Roy has proven time and again that his experience and know-how are a lot better than just being quick on the draw when having to deal with cunning criminals.
Roy always puts his job before his friendships, even his friendship with the Cartwrights. An interesting note about Roy is that he has never actually shot anyone.
John Mitchum (Robert Mitchum's brother) described Ray Teal to me as "a very sweet man". As Roy Coffee, he was polite and kind, but nothing was more important to Roy Coffee than being the sheriff. The townsfolk of Virginia City were his "Family". Ray left us back in 1976, Sheriff Coffee forever.