BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — A Blount County Sheriff's lieutenant died Thursday from complications surrounding a recent cancer diagnosis, according to the sheriff's office.
Lt. Chuck Ford was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and was receiving medical treatment before his passing. He was 62-year-old and leaves behind several family members, a girlfriend and many close friends.
Ford started his career with the Blount County Sheriff's Office in 1997 in corrections. He was part of the team responsible for the transition of inmates from the old jail facility at the courthouse to the jail at the new Blount County Justice Center when it opened in 1999.
Ford served the sheriff's office for 27 years and was promoted to lieutenant in 2018.
He was born in Queens, New York and grew up there. He served in the New Jersey Air National Guard and was assigned to the 134th Logistic Readiness Squadron at McGhee Tyson Airbase before retiring from military service in 2013 as a master sergeant.
"Chuck was the embodiment of public service," Sheriff Berrong said. "Not only did he serve his communities in a law enforcement capacity, he also gave selflessly to our country most of his adult life in the Air National Guard in Tennessee and New Jersey. He was a stellar employee who always showed up and did the work. And he did it with a smile on his face, always. I can't remember Lt. Ford ever being down for long following adversities. He picked himself up by his bootstraps and he carried on. He was truly one of the good guys, and his impact on those who knew him was far-reaching. Everyone who knew Chuck has a story about him, and it's always a good story. He will truly be missed at the BCSO."