Former Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight E. Radcliff, died Wednesday morning at the age of 87, after a recent illness.
Dwight Radcliff was the longest serving sheriff in the nation, upon his retirement in 2013, after serving 12 consecutive terms for a total of 48 years. He served in law enforcement for a total of more than 55 years, starting as a deputy under his father, who was also a Pickaway County Sheriff.
Dwight's son Robert, is the current Pickaway County Sheriff.
Throughout his career, Sheriff Dwight Radcliff served with numerous prestigious organizations and groups including being a past president of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association and the National Sheriffs’ Association.
Radcliff also has served on numerous task forces for the Ohio Attorney General; many Governors of Ohio appointed and reappointed him to various committees, including the Law Enforcement Automated Data System Steering Committee, Ohio Law Enforcement Emergency Radio Network, Ohio Criminal Justice Supervisory Commission; Ohio Sheriffs’ Uniform and Car Marking Commission; the Ohio State Emergency Response Commission; and the Ohio Organized Crime Committee; among many others.
He received numerous awards and recognition including the NSA Executive Director’s Award and the J. Stannard Baker Award (National Sheriffs’ Association); the President’s Award (Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association); he was chosen as Ohio Sheriff of the Year in 1975 by the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association; he was recognized by the Ohio State Veterans of Foreign Wars as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year; and countless others.
Funeral arrangements are pending.