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Long-time Miami County sheriff laid to rest

MIAMI COUNTY — UPDATE @ 3:43 p.m.: 

Miami County said thank you and goodbye Tuesday to long-time Sheriff Charles A. Cox, a man described as a people’s sheriff who emphasized honesty and integrity.

“Not only was he the people’s sheriff, he was a cop’s cop,” Dave Duchak, Cox’s chief deputy appointed last week as acting sheriff, said during Cox’s memorial service at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church.

Cox, 71, died Nov. 10 at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. He was completing his seventh term and planned to retire at year’s end.

Cox was remembered by family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers in a service that included bagpipes, Taps and a 21-bell salute conducted by deputies.

Capt. Dave Norman said working for Cox “was like working for my father.”

He said Cox did what was right, and then dealt with any consequences. “Sheriff Cox said doing what is right is harder than looking the other way,” Norman said.

“With the passing of Sheriff Cox, Miami County has lost its very own Andy Taylor. There were several similarities between Sheriff Cox and Sheriff Taylor,” he said. “Sheriff Cox rarely carried a gun, just like Sheriff Taylor didn’t carry a gun ….Sheriff Cox was respected throughout Miami County just as Sheriff Taylor was respected in Mayberry.”

Cox was a family man who was remembered by a granddaughter for sharing pizzas and watching countless hours of the TV show “NCIS’’. Others mentioned his love for doing puzzles and spending time at the Outer Banks.

UPDATE @ 3:28 p.m. (Nov. 22)

The funeral for Sheriff Charles Cox was held today in Miami County.

UPDATE 11:46 a.m. (Nov. 15)

The Miami County commissioners Tuesday appointed Dave Duchak as acting Miami County sheriff. The appointment followed the Nov. 10 death of Sheriff Charles Cox at age 71.

Duchak was sworn in minutes after the commission vote by Tony Kendell, county prosecutor.

Cox’s term runs through the end of the year. Duchak, the department’s chief deputy, won the race for sheriff in the Nov. 8 general election. Cox, who had been ill the past couple of years, had announced he would not seek re-election this year after seven terms.

“I am sorry it had to be under these circumstances, but I appreciate all of the support,” Duchak said after being sworn in.

Services for Cox are planned Nov. 22 at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church near Tipp City.

UPDATE @ 9:46 a.m. (Nov. 15)

Miami County Commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday morning appointing Miami County Sheriff-Elect Chief Deputy David Duchak to fill out the unexpired term of the late Sheriff Charles A. Cox Jr.

Cox passed away last week with 51 days left in his seventh four-year term.

UPDATE @ 4:45 p.m. (Nov. 11):

A service to honor the life of 71-year-old Charles A. Cox Jr., Miami County Sheriff, begins at 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at Gingamsburg United Methodist Church, 6759 County Road 25A in Tipp City. Full military honors will follow, according to Cox’s obituary.

He is survived by his wife, four children, 10 grandchildren, three siblings extended family and pets, as well as the staff members of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.

UPDATE @ 1:53 p.m. (Nov. 10): The Miami County commissioners said they were talking with legal counsel about what action needs to be taken following the passing of Miami County Sheriff Charles Cox Jr.

They also extended their condolences to the Cox family.

“Charlie will be missed going forward,” Commission President Richard Cultice said.

The Miami County Republican Party released a statement Thursday saying Cox served with dedication, strength and valor.

“The Miami County Republican Party sends its thoughts and prayers to the Cox family and friends for their loss,” the statement said.

“The Sheriff was a longtime loyal Republican office holder who defended the safety of every citizen of Miami County with dedication, strength and valor. Now is a time to reflect on his many accomplishments as our Sheriff over his 28 years of service to Miami County and pray for his family’s strength while dealing with their loss.”

UPDATE @ 11:53 a.m.

People lined the street outside the Miami County Courthouse and Safety Building, where the sheriff’s office is located, as vehicles from the sheriff’s department and other departments escorted the hearse transporting the sheriff through Troy on its way to a Piqua funeral home.

Dave Duchak, chief deputy, said the county, and he, suffered a huge loss with the passing of Miami County Sheriff Charles Cox Jr.

“There are not enough good words to say. He did so much for the community and all of his employees,” Duchak said. “It is a huge loss.”

Duchak, endorsed by Cox, was elected the new sheriff in Tuesday’s election.

Miami County Commission President Richard Cultice worked with Cox during his five-plus years on the commission.

“I had a good working relationship with him and thought he felt the same way. I respected that relationship,” Cultice said.

Former Deputy Robert Sweitzer said Cox was good to work with.

“He wanted things done by the book,” he said. “He was a cop’s cop.”

Former Deputy Billie Ray said he knew Cox since Ray was a police cadet and Cox was with Troy police.

“He has always been loyal to the citizens of Miami County and a great servant,” Ray said.

UPDATE @ 11:05 a.m.:

Cox’s funeral procession went through the city of Troy Thursday morning, pausing briefly at the Miami County Courthouse. About 50 cruisers from area jurisdictions were part of the procession. Some 300 people lined the streets to pay their respects to the sheriff, who is being described as a “cop’s cop.”

INITIAL REPORT

Miami County Sheriff Charles Cox Jr. died this morning.

He died about 5:15 a.m. at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. His health had been failing for several years.

A processional left Hospice of Dayton around 10 a.m.

Cox did not seek re-election this year and was set to retire at the end of the year.

In 2014, Cox — a seven-term sheriff — turned some duties over to Chief Deputy Dave Duchak. At the time, Cox said he had partial hip surgery in November and developed complications that required subsequent surgery.

“The men and women of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office continue to serve and protect their fellow residents as Sheriff Cox would expect,” Duchak said in a release. “We ask that the public keep Sheriff Cox, his wife Lynn, their family and the Miami County Sheriff’s Office in their prayers.”

Jameison & Yannucci Funeral Home in Piqua is handling arrangements.

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