Local sheriff’s deputy dies after battle with cancer

XENIA — A Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputy has passed away after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Deputy Chris Longfellow died Sunday morning at the Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, according to a spokesperson with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.

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“Please keep his family and our law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers at this time,” the spokesperson said.

As previously reported by News Center 7, Longfellow served with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office since 2000, after working as a dispatcher from 1997 to 2000.

He was also a United States Air Force veteran of Desert Storm.

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“There are just no words at this time to express our deep sorrow. Chris was a friend to all and will be greatly missed,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.

In addition to his long service with the sheriff’s office, Longfellow volunteered with the Xenia Township Fire Department and participated in the ROTC program.

Longfellow was known for his dedication to the community, notably through his involvement in the ‘Cops and Cones’ program.

The Dairy Station, located at 704 N Detroit Street in Xenia, is hosting a fundraising event to support the family on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Longfellow is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kris, their three children, two grandchildren, and two grand dogs.

Several law enforcement agencies and fire departments have shared their condolences after learning about Longworth’s death.

The Xenia Police Division said Longworth’s death is a huge loss for the Greene County community.

“Chris’ passion for serving the public and for taking care of his brothers and sisters in law enforcement never wavered. Chris would routinely stop and check on any Officer he saw on a stop or a call and ask if they needed anything. Chris’ family shared his passion for taking care of his law enforcement brothers and sisters and would routinely have on duty units, regardless of the agency they worked for, stop by their house for a meal on holidays when those units could not be with their families,” the division said.

The Silvercreek Township Fire/EMS Department said they worked closely with Longworth and he was also a “calm reassuring presence on the most intense scenes for us and always lending us a helping hand and listening ear.”

The Jefferson Township Fire Department said the community lost a “truly amazing person” who was always there to help.

There are no public arrangements at this time, according to the spokesperson.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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