Milam County Sheriff David Greene died in a Portland, Oregon hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) Friday night.
The sheriff, 65, who was stricken with a massive heart attack while on vacation in Oregon June 26, had waged a valiant, odds-defying struggle for 24 days.
Greene had appeared to be improving until midweek but took a turn for the worse and died surrounded by friends and family, according to Chief Deputy Chris White.
County commissioners met Tuesday morning and named White interim sheriff to serve until an election can be held.
He will be sworn in at a later date.
A November special election is being planned.
PROCESSION—
Greene’s body was flown from Oregon to Austin and escorted from the Austin airport through Rockdale and on to Cameron Monday evening by a two-mile-long large contingent of law enforcement and emergency personnel including the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department. (See page 3A).
Among the agencies participating were Milam, Williamson, and Bell County deputies, Milam County Jail staff, Milam County dispatchers, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Rangers, and other Milam County fire departments.
According to White, as the procession passed through communities along the route home, numerous people lined the streets beginning in Hutto and extending into Cameron
As of presstime early Wednesday morning, funeral services for Greene had not yet been scheduled.
Greene was initially taken to a hospital in Salem, Oregon, then moved to the critical intensive care unit of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.
There had been encouraging signs in recent weeks. Greene survived being taken off a pump which was keeping his heart functioning, his sedation medications were being eased and he was reported more alert.
White, who had been providing updates on the sheriff’s condition, texted news media at 9:17 p.m. Friday saying “I am sad to report to you that our Sheriff has passed away this evening. Please say a prayer for Janell (Greene) and the family and for the rest of us too.”
In a later post White said Janell White: “wanted everyone to know that she is immensely grateful to everyone for their show of support. Janell also noted that David enjoyed reading all the kind words and well wishes and knew he was very loved.”
GREENE—Greene’s career in law enforcement spanned more than 40 years.
He was a Milam County Game Warden for 28 years, retiring in 2003.
The next year he filed for Precinct 1 constable, won the post and served until 2008.
Greene tossed his hat in the ring for sheriff, was elected and was sworn in early when incumbent Sheriff Charlie West decided not to serve the remainder of his term.
Greene was re-elected twice in contested elections, in 2012 and 2016. He served a total of 10 years as sheriff.
It’s not the first time a Milam County Sheriff has died in office.
Leroy Broadus died April 13, 1995, and commissioners appointed West.
The county has had only four sheriffs in the past 74 years: Carl Black, 1944-1977; Broadus, 1977-1995; West, 1995-2008; and Greene, 2008-2018.
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