County mourns loss of Sheriff Gangwer

FREMONT -- The flags at the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office were lowered to half-staff on Sunday, a silent tribute to the unexpected death earlier that day of longtime Sheriff David Gangwer.

Gangwer, 66, who was serving his sixth four-year term as sheriff, died Sunday morning in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo. He had dedicated his life to law enforcement for over 43 years.

Clyde Police Chief Bruce Gower called Gangwer's death, "a shock".

The local police chief said city police will be assisting the Sandusky County Sheriff's Department in any manner needed from funeral preparations to coverage on the roads.

"It's a heck of a loss," Gower commented, noting he had been in contact with Bruce Hirt, the chief deputy.

"He was a good guy and a great sheriff," the police chief added, noting he had known Gangwer since he started with the local police department.

"He was one of my instructors," Gower said about taking law enforcement classed. "He's been a great friend ever since."

Barb Tuckerman, of the Sandusky County Board of Elections, said the county's Republican party or the Sandusky County Commissioners will appoint someone to fill the sheriff's position until the end of the year. Justin Smith, chairman of the Sandusky County Republican Party, said he will be in contact with the Secretary of State's office to determine the proper procedure.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home, 900 North St., Fremont. (See obituary on page 2).

According to the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, Gangwer had been ill and missed work on Aug. 27, an event that was unusual for him. On Friday, Gangwer was taken to Memorial Hospital, in Fremont, and from there was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Medical staff at St. Vincent's reportedly determined that Gangwer had pneumonia in one lung and were preparing to do a procedure when he apparently suffered a massive heart attack and died around 7 a.m. Sunday.

Gangwer was elected as Sandusky County Sheriff in 1985; he had held the office longer than anyone else, according to his county Website.

Gangwer started his law enforcement career in 1966 when he became a a patrolman for the Fremont Police Department while also working part-time as a bailiff and probation officer for Fremont Municipal Court.

In 1972, Gangwer joined the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, where he was soon promoted to detective. He served as sergeant, lieutenant, and captain of detectives before being promoted to major, overseeing all the divisions of the sheriff's office.

During that time he was also a part-time criminal investigator for the county prosecutor and county coroner. He graduated from the FBI Academy in 1980.

Over his 43 years in law enforcement, Gangwer accumulated numerous personal commendations and awardsThe United States Congress awarded Gangwer one commendation, the Ohio Senate awarded Gangwer two commendations, and the National Sheriff's Association awarded Gangwer the Medal of Valor.