to Atticus that he will tell the town that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife. However, Tate realizes thatBoo Radley intervened and saved the children. As a way to prevent Boo from receiving unnecessary attention, Heck Tate refuses to tell the community the truth. Sheriff Tate demonstrates his sympathy by thinking about what is best for Boo Radley. Sheriff Tate tells Atticus,

"To my way of thinkin', Mr. Finch, taking the one man who's done you and this town a great service an' draggin' him with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that's a sin. It's a sin and I'm not about to have it on my head" (Lee, 169).

ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE HECK TATE

Tall.  Sheriff Heck Tate is described as being "as tall as Atticus, but thinner."  (Chapter 10)

Polite.  Tate addresses everyone as "Mister" or "Miss," including Atticus. Interestingly, Atticus always calls Tate by his first name, yet the sheriff always addresses Atticus respectively as "Mr. Finch."

Competent.  Tate is not a brilliant man: He answers incorrectly at first when Atticus asks him which side of Mayella's face is bruised, and he doesn't seem to understand the importance of there being bruises around her entire neck. He also falls for the old "snipe hunt" ruse on the night that Tom nearly gets lynched. But he knows Atticus is the right man for killing the mad dog, and he immediately determines what happens on Halloween night after he finds Bob Ewell's body and listens to Scout's story.

Humble.  Heck is a local boy who admits that "I'm not a very good man... I may not be much..."  (Chapter 30)

Authoritative.  Tate takes charge at the end of the story, deciding that he must make the decision as to what is best for the community--and for Boo Radley. Tate will call Bob's death self-inflicted, knowing full well that Boo must have stabbed Bob. But Tate realizes blaming Bob is best for everyone--Boo, Jem, Atticus, and the town--and he will stick to his version of the story.

"...I'm still sheriff of Maycomb County, and Bob Ewell fell on his knife."  (Chapter 30) 

You could certainly get several different answers to this question as it is purely a matter of opinion, but here is how I would characterize Heck Tate:

"Local": as the sheriff of Maycomb County, he dresses, acts, and speaks the part.  He is well known and well respected by most.  He knows and respects Atticus and does his best to support him throughout the trial (gives warning of the upcoming mob incident, testifies honestly, etc).  He is also a "local boy" in that he knows his town and he knows the prejudice that exists.  He does his best to be honest and just, but he is not a revolutionary.  He does not necessarily attempt to stir anything up nor be a leader of change.

"Humble/polite": Heck Tate is not a glory seeking sheriff.  This is evident by the way he speaks to people with respect even though he is the sheriff and isn't necessarily required to do this for anyone.  It is also shown in the quiet evening he is home (instead of at church where most go to socialize) when his house is vandalized.  His testimony at the trial also reveals his humility.  Though he is well known in the town, he is almost embarrassed to be speaking in front of everyone, and so he looks down at his knees.

"Sensitive": Heck Tate certainly shows sensitivity toward the case and toward Tom Robinson and Atticus in his support.  The best evidence of his sensitivity however, comes at the very end of the novel when he refuses to blame Boo Radley for Bob Ewell's death.

For more on Heck Tate, a couple of chapters that might help you to review are Chapter 10 (The Mad Dog Incident), Chapter 17 (Tate's Testimony), and Chapter 31 (Boo Radley Incident).