Community mourning loss of law enforcement icon
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Dec. 27, 2022) – A former Tuscarawas County Sheriff is being remembered as a family man, friend, and mentor.
Harold McKimmie of New Philadelphia passed away on Christmas Day at age 93, leaving behind two children and two grandchildren. He was the sheriff for 16 years, from 1985 to 2000, and spent three decades before that with the state Highway Patrol. One of the officers McKimmie hired and inspired was current Sheriff Orvis Campbell, who called his death a “tremendous loss” to his loved ones and the local law enforcement community.
“He really invested in me, and I can’t say enough good about him. He was an intimidating guy. He was larger than life. I mean, he would walk through the room, and you didn’t have any question about who was in charge. He just had an aura about him, but he also had a fun side. He was a great practical joker, extremely loyal to the office, to the citizens and to the staff, and to his family.”
The working relationship between Campbell and McKimmie blossomed into a friendship that continued after McKimmie’s retirement. Campbell says the conversations and breakfasts they shared over the years are among his most treasured memories.
“He was always giving me advice. I always felt like he was rooting for me. I always felt like he rooted for all his employees but I genuinely felt like he was a father to me. I mean, he really gave me his all.”
The Linn Hert Geib Funeral Home is hosting a memorial service at 11 am Friday for McKimmie and his late wife Gloria, who passed away in December of 2020. Visitation will take place at the funeral home Thursday from 4 to 6 pm and an hour before Friday’s service.