PICKAWAY -Pickaway County Sheriff Robert B. Radcliff regrets to announce that his father, former Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight E. Radcliff, passed away on May 6, 2020 at the age of 87.
Sheriff Dwight E. Radcliff served as the 37th Sheriff of Pickaway County from 1965 until his retirement in 2013. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving sheriff in the United States having served 12 consecutive terms (48 years). He is a second-generation sheriff having served as a deputy sheriff for his father for seven- and one-half years, serving a career total of 55 ½ years in law enforcement.
It is no secret that Governor Mike Dewine and Dwight Radcliff were friends. This morning after the Governor heard of the passing of his long time friend he tweeted.
“Fran and I have lost a dear friend. I first met former pickawaysheriff Dwight Radcliff when I was running for Congress in 1982. We hit it off because of my background as a county prosecutor – even then he was a legend in law enforcement! He combined his skills as a people person with the drive and skills of an experienced lawman. That combination served the people of Pickaway County and the people of Ohio for 48 years. After he left the Sheriff’s office when I was Attorney General, I asked him to be my liaison with law enforcement around the state. His people skills and law enforcement savvy served us so very well. He was both a great judge of character and an old-fashioned law enforcement officer, who combined his law enforcement savvy and experience with respect and compassion for people. Simply put, he just knew how to treat people. His beloved wife Betty has been his partner and by his side for his entire law enforcement career — and she also served the people of Pickaway County so very well. Our hearts go out to Betty; their children Vicky, Dwight, and Sheriff Robert Radcliff; and their families. While I was serving as Attorney General, my team put this video together to highlight Sheriff Radcliff’s life and service to Pickaway County. Please take a moment to watch.”
Governor DeWine issued the following statement regarding the death of former Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight Radcliff:
“Former Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight Radcliff has been my friend for four decades. I first met him when I was running for Congress in 1982. We hit it off because of my background as a county prosecutor. Even then Dwight was a legend in law enforcement!
“He combined his skills as a people person with the drive and skills of an experienced lawman. That combination served the people of Pickaway County and the people of Ohio for 48 years. After he left the Sheriff’s office when I was Attorney General, I asked him to be my liaison with law enforcement around the state. His people skills and law enforcement savvy served us so very well.
“He was both a great judge of character and an old-fashioned law enforcement officer, who combined his law enforcement savvy and experience with respect and compassion for people. Simply put, he just knew how to treat people.
“Fran and I have lost a dear friend. His beloved wife Betty has been his partner and by his side for his entire law enforcement career — and she also served the people of Pickaway County so very well. Our hearts go out to Betty; their children Vicky, Dwight, and Sheriff Robert Radcliff; and their families.”
