Following an autopsy Wednesday morning, Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt ruled the chief died of natural causes. Worley, 57, had a heart attack, Burkhardt said.
The longtime coroner, who had known Worley for years, said minutes before the autopsy, “it is always hard when it is someone I know.”
Burkhardt said Worley was a “great guy. When we had a Ross Twp. case, he always showed up (for autopsies). He really cared .”
Worley died Tuesday afternoon after collapsing during an investigation, authorities said.
The chief was found unresponsive in his cruiser after assisting a Butler County sheriff’s deputy and a Hamilton police officer investigating suspicious activity on New London Road, according to Gary Vaughn, fellow officer who is now running the department. Worley was transported to The Fort Hamilton Hospital, where he died.
The small force includes eight part-time officers and two full-time — Vaughn and Worley. The flag in front of the township office and police station was at half staff Wednesday.
Ross Twp. Trustee Raymond Wurzelbacher said Carl Worley “tackled life with a smile.”
Co-workers and residents agreed the township’s police chief was a man of good humor and compassion for all, no matter what side of the law.
Officer Chris Niesen said his boss was a knowledgeable law enforcement officer who was “nice to everyone.”
He remembered Worley pulling cash out of his pocket to purchase a meal for a man arrested for shoplifting at a local convenience store.
“The man said he was stealing because he was hungry,” Niesen said. “The chief handed me money and told me to go to Wendy’s and get him something to eat.”
The man was arrested, but he had a full stomach and likely a better respect for police — or maybe just a reassurance someone cared about him — before he was put behind bars.
“We’ve never had any more problems out of that gentleman, at least not around here,” Niesen said.
Wurzelbacher called Worley’s death “a great loss to our police department and to our community.”
He said the chief was instrumental in setting up community protection programs, neighborhood watches, and working with high school and elementary students.
Scott Park, a state parole officer, stops by police stations often. Ross Twp. is one of his favorites because of the friendship he forged with Worley.
“I never came in here when he wasn’t pleasant,” Park said. He added he knows Worley enjoyed police work and died doing what he liked the most about the job.
“He would rather be out there than” in the office, Park said.
On Tuesday, Worley was working with officers from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Hamilton police to track down a suspect from a suspicious car found parked at Forest Run Park off New London Road.
Hamilton officers found Worley unresponsive in his police cruiser.
“He will be sorely missed,” said Paula McDaniel, a clerk at the Family Dollar store where Worley often purchased suckers.
His officers said the chief was fond of lollipops — especially Tootsie Roll pops — and was often seen enjoying one.
The department’s chaplain, the Rev. Don Thie of Ross Christian Church, was on hand Wednesday for anyone who wanted to talk about the chief’s passing and to assist acting Chief Gary Vaughn with arrangements for a police processional that is expected to include hundreds of officers across the state.
“I enjoyed him as a friend,” Thie said. “He was dedicated and cared a lot about the people of this community.”
Worley was a native of Lebanon, graduating from Lebanon High School. He attended Union College in Barbourville, Ky., and graduated from the Butler County Police Academy. He is survived by his wife, Kathy.
He served as a Ross Twp. police officer for 13 years, becoming chief seven years ago.
Staff Writer Josh Sweigart contributed to this report.
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