DAYTON, Ohio — Residents and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of their own after Sheriff Gene Fischer suddenly passed away Tuesday evening.
“The Greene County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the outpouring of support during this time as we have lost Sheriff Fischer,” the department said in a statement Wednesday morning. “As we work through our own grieving, we ask for the public’s patience during this time.”
More details about Fischer’s death is expected to be released sometime Wednesday afternoon.
Fischer has been the Greene County sheriff since 2003, having previously served with the Xenia Police Department from 1983-2003. He earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Clark Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Capital University and a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from Tiffin University.
(Courtesy of Greene Co. Sheriff’s Office)
Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine said they saddened to hear of Fischer’s death.
“Fran and I first met Gene when he worked at the Xenia Police Department,” Gov. DeWine said. “What always struck me was how well loved he was by men and women who worked under him at the department, and he had that same strong relationship with the men and women who worked for him at the Sheriff’s Office. Gene combined that respect and love with a real relationship with the community. Sheriff Fischer was doing community policing before those techniques even had a name.”
Multiple police departments, including those in Dayton, Fairborn, Centerville, Franklin and West Milton took to social media to express their condolences.
“We are thinking of the friends, family, and colleagues of Greene Co. Sheriff Gene Fischer after his sudden passing,” the Dayton Police Department wrote in a tweet. “Sheriff Fischer dedicated his life to law enforcement service & community and was an outstanding partner to work with. Rest easy sir & thank you for your service.”
Attorney General Dave Yost also issued a statement Wednesday morning, saying he is shocked about Fischer’s death after seeing him earlier Tuesday.
“My staff and I are heartbroken by the sudden passing of Greene County Sheriff Gene Fischer. Sheriff Fischer was a dedicated public servant who took pride in representing the people of Greene County for nearly 40 years, first as a Xenia police officer and then as the county sheriff for the past 18 years,” Yost wrote. “I admire and appreciate his dedication to the residents of Greene County and to law enforcement. We offer our condolences to his family and his community. Sheriff Fischer will be greatly missed.”
