Long time Ocean County Sheriff William Polhemus has died.

Willliam Polhemus
Willliam Polhemus (Ocean County Sheriff's Department)
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Ocean County Republican Commitee Chairman George Gilmore says it is "a great loss for the county. This is a man who has dedicated his entire life to law enforcement and serving the people. He will be sorely missed."

The 84 year old seemed to be doing fine following a cardiac procedure done earlier in the week explained Freeholder Joseph Vicari to the Patch of Toms River. "Then late (Friday) night around 11 p.m., he passed away," he said.

A lifelong resident of Ocean County, Polhemus was a fixture in the sheriff's office since his first term in 1985. According to the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, prior to being elected sheriff in 1985 he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 8 years and received an honorable discharge as Petty Officer, 2nd class.He graduated from the New Jersey Police Academy in 1951 serving the Seaside Heights Police Department as a Patrolman, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain and was promoted to Chief, April 1, 1981 where he retired as Chief of the Department.

This January would have been Sheriff Polhemus' tenth tern in office.

Governor Chris Christie will apppoint a successor. Undersheriff William T. Sommeling will serve in the office until then.

Funeral arrangements are pending according to the Sheriff's Department.

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