Former Lee County Sheriff credited with modernizing the department passes away

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced announce the passing of former Lee County Sheriff Frank Wanicka.

Wanicka served as Lee County Sheriff from 1973 to 1988 and was credited with modernizing the department by strongly encouraging the community policing model as well as dedicating resources to making improvements within many specialty units during his tenure.

"Though I did not have the pleasure of serving alongside Sheriff Wanicka, I would like to take this opportunity to honor a leader who was deeply respected and paved the way for future law enforcement officers. As the current Sheriff, I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to Sheriff Wanicka’s family, those brothers and sisters who served alongside him, and to the community as a whole who are grieving this profound loss today," said current Lee County Sheriff, Carmine Marceno.