Tipp City police chief dies

Tom Davidson, police chief in Tipp City the past 22 years, died Tuesday following a battle with cancer. He was 64.

“We are saddened by the passing of our Police Chief Tom Davidson,” Mayor Dee Gillis said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a great man and gave many dedicated years of service to Tipp City and its citizens,” she said.

Davidson notified City Manager Jon Crusey last month that he would retire April 30.

He was honored at the April 1 City Council meeting with a resolution recognizing his service. He received a standing ovation from the council chambers whose audience included many current and former department employees.

Sgt. Eric Burris is serving as acting chief until a new chief is selected, Crusey said earlier this month.

Born in Toledo, Davidson said earlier this year he knew early in life he wanted to work in law enforcement. A native of Toledo, he signed up for the military police in the Army and was hired by the Bowling Green (Ohio) Police Department following his military service.

He worked there nearly 20 years before accepting the Tipp City chief position in December 1990.

“I made the best choice I could have made. It worked out perfectly,” Davidson said of the decision to take the Tipp City job.

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