By Anna DeWine-Bolton
XENIA — Retired Greene County Sheriff Jerry W. Erwin died Saturday, Nov. 19.
For 36 years, Erwin dutifully served his community. He began his career as deputy sheriff in 1967 under Sheriff Russell Bradley. He served as sergeant, detective and chief deputy until he was elected sheriff in 1986. Erwin retired in 2003.
Erwin was born July 14, 1944 in Springfield, the son of James R. and Martha (Frock) Erwin. He married Roberta (Wiseman) on December 4, 1965. The couple had three sons and several grandchildren: Philip Ross (Kristine Sharrett) and their sons Wyatt, Walker and Waylan; Robert Wallace (Emily Currall) and their children PFC Clay Erwin, James, Andrew, Ellen and Emma; and Mark Douglas (Nichole Fletcher) and their sons Trevor and Tyler.
Erwin was a graduate of Cedarville High School, attended Wayne State University, the University of Virginia, and was a graduate of the National FBI Academy of Quantico, Virginia.
A fellow graduate of the National FBI Academy, Former Xenia Police Chief Claude Lyons, worked closely with Erwin from the very start of Erwin’s career.
“Jerry was new-school — a new-comer. His ideas were up-to-date. He was out there to do the most he could do for all citizens of Greene County,” Lyons explained.
From 1967 to 1995, the two worked their way up the ranks together.
“Jerry was just a good man, a very fair person to everyone,” Lyons said. “Jerry was a true friend. He will certainly be missed by everyone who knew him, everyone he touched.”
According to Erwin’s obituary, Erwin always considered the office of sheriff a privilege and an honor, holding his responsibility to his office and department to the highest esteem. He aimed to make the Greene County Sheriff’s Office one of the best in the state.
“Everyone knew Jerry Erwin. He had a long and distinguished career, serving Greene County very well as sheriff for seventeen years,” Greene County Sheriff Gene Fischer recalled.
Jerry was a member of the State and National Sheriff’s Association and was an associate of the National FBI Academy. He sang in the choir at Cedarville Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He served as a member of Jamestown Lodge #352, F&AM, a member of OES, Aldora Chapter #262, and served as a 4-H advisor for many years.
Erwin spent his time away from the sheriff’s office hunting, golfing, spending time with his sons, attending his grandchildren’s events, and reading books with his granddaughters in his lap.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26, at Cedarville Presbyterian Church, 30 W. Chillicothe Street, with Masonic services at 12:30 p.m. followed by the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the North Cemetery, Cedarville.
