David G. Gangwer

Sandusky County Sheriff David G. Gangwer, 66 of Fremont died Sunday, August, 31, 2008 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo. He was born on March 27, 1942 in Fremont to the now deceased Owen E. & Bonnie Gail (Womeldorf) Gangwer. David graduated from Ross High School in 1960 and in 1980 he graduated from the FBI Academy. On November 3, 1962 he married Judy Gahn in Fremont and she survives. David followed his training through with Peace Officers Basic Training, Ross Enright Academy, Ohio Peace Officer Training Council and since 1974 he has attended over 200 law enforcement seminars.

From 1966-1972 he was a Patrolman for the Fremont Police Department, along with working part-time as a Bailiff and Probation Officer for Fremont Municipal Court. During 1972-1985 he worked for the Sandusky County Sheriffs Office and was promoted to Detective in 1972 and served as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain of Detectives before being promoted to Major over all the divisions of the Sheriffs Office. During that time he was also a part-time Criminal Investigator for the County Prosecutor and County Coroner. Since 1985 he was elected to Sheriff of Sandusky County, working in his sixth term, making him the longest running Sheriff for the county.

Some of his field of expertise is Homicide & Narcotic Investigations and Law Enforcement Administration. Davids personal commendations and awards began in 1971 from Fremont Police Dept., Fremont Exchange Club-Officer of the Year in 1972, Fremont Jaycees-Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer in 1974, National Exchange Club-Police Officer of the Year in 1977, 1991 the Whirlpool Corp awarded him Ohio Largest Industry Drug Investigation with 2 years and 140 arrests. Also during 1991 he was awarded a Commendation from the Office of Lieutenant Governor, and 3 Commendations from The Ohio House of Representatives. The United States Congress awarded him 1 Commendation, the Ohio Senate awarded him 2 Commendations, the National Sheriffs Association awarded him Medal of Valor, Buckeye State Sheriffs Assoc., he was awarded Distinguished Service Award along with the Sheriffs Commendation Award and 35 years Safe Driving Award. In 1991 David was appointed by the Governor for the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and was the longest serving member. He was appointed by the Attorney General of Ohio to oversee The Ohio Sheriffs Continuing Education as mandated by state law, he was chairman of the B.S.S.A. Committee of Internal Investigations of the Sheriffs Offices, and the National Sheriffs Association and the FBI National Academy Association. David was also a member of the Ohio Chief of Police Assoc., National Chiefs of Police Assoc., Buckeye State Sheriffs Assoc., where he was a past president, a member of the American Jail Assoc., American Corrections Assoc., Fraternal Order of Police serving as past president and the Ohio Townships Assoc. He was also a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Surviving are his children; Jodi (Thomas) Stults of Fremont and Daniel (Michele) Gangwer of Lebanon, OH. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and a brother; Robert (Sue) Gangwer of Lawrenceville, GA. David was preceded in death by his parents, grandson; Derrick Stults and a brother Rodger Gangwer.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fremont from 1-8 PM. Funeral Honors will be held on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 10 AM with one hour of visitation prior to the Honors at Grace Lutheran Church, 705 W. State Street, Fremont with Certified Celebrant Maureen Pump. Burial with full Sheriffs Office Honor Guard and Flag Detail will be held at Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or to the Donors Choice in Davids name.