After a lengthy battle with cancer, Sgt. Bill Herrig of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office died Thursday.
Co-workers remembered him Friday as a compassionate individual who loved working with kids and always promoted education.
"He was a great guy," said Seneca County Sheriff Bill Eckelberry, who worked with Herrig for 30 years.
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Sgt. Herrig
Herrig, 58, was scheduled to retire from the sheriff's office later this month.
His last day of work was Tuesday, Eckelberry said.
Herrig, who graduated from the Tiffin Police Academy and joined the sheriff's office in 1981, had served as the county's D.A.R.E. officer from 1992 until 2000. He was one of two D.A.R.E. officers to serve Seneca County.
"Bill did an exceptional job as a D.A.R.E. officer. He was very good with the kids and he was very compassionate about what he did with the program," Eckelberry said.
Throughout his career, Herrig also was active in several other aspects of law enforcement.
Prior to his appointment at the sheriff's office, he worked as a security police officer at the Tiffin Developmental Center.
Following his appointment, Herrig served as an investigator for the coroner's office, a truancy officer for the Seneca County Board of Education, a CPR instructor, a member of the Seneca County Dive Team and a certified instructor for the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training and Ohio Corrections Training Program.
Eckelberry said Herrig also helped with medical duties and the adaptation of new policies in the new jail in 1994.
Other titles for Herrig included the County School Resource Officer and Senior Operator for the Ohio Department Health BAC Data Master.
In 2000, Herrig was promoted to sergeant and became a shift supervisor.
Detective Kevin Reinbolt of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office, who worked with Herrig for 17 years, said education was a passion and strength of Herrig's.
"Bill was a very educated man," Reinbolt said. "He believed in education and training. He loved dealing with the kids."
Reinbolt said Herrig's battle with cancer didn't stop him from serving the county. Herrig even returned to the sheriff's office after two separate, difficult bouts with cancer.
"He was a warrior. He went through a long, lengthy battle," he said.
