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Former Osceola County Charlie Croft passed away in June.
A two-term Osceola County sheriff from the 1990s called “a man of principle and ethics,” has passed away.
Charles Wayne Croft, 74, best known as “Charlie” to all of his family and friends, died June 23 at his Panhandle home in Lee, Fla., following an extended illness.
He was elected as the 16th sheriff of Osceola County in 1992 and served two terms through 2000. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Croft joined the agency in 1972.
An Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office Facebook post stated, “With deepest condolences, we announce the passing of retired Sheriff Charlie Croft. Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez and the OCSO mourn the loss of a remarkable law enforcement leader. We remember Sheriff Croft for his dedication, courage, and commitment to public service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sheriff Croft.”
Mike Fisher worked for eight years under Croft during his tenure as sheriff. Prior to that, he worked under him as the patrol captain. “Sheriff Croft was a man of principle and ethics he led as an administrator,” Fisher said. “He didn’t need any grandstanding or celebrity status. He understood the role of sheriff as the head law enforcement officer in the county. He was highly respected as a captain prior to becoming sheriff.” Fisher recalled fond memories of his former boss. “I just remember as a 19-year-old being interviewed by him for a position as a deputy and you could feel his confidence. He was stern to a point, but when he walked the halls of the old Sheriff’s office on Simpson Road he would check in on people and then you saw that he wasn’t as stern as he portrayed,” Fisher said. “He was cordial, and in his conversations you could tell he genuinely cared about the employees. He would see me and always say, ‘How you doing today youngin’?’”.
Croft was born May 27, 1949, in Orlando to Charlie B. Croft and Mamie Alderman Croft.
He was a graduate of Osceola High School where he played varsity football and served as a team captain. He graduated from Rollins College with a bachelor of science degree in law enforcement.
Croft served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War, and following his military service, he married Nell Batts and they began their life together.
He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and gardening.
Fisher, who ran for sheriff himself, spoke of Croft’s influence. “I grew up with law enforcement officers in my family so I kind of knew what the job was about,” Fisher said. His influence was more about work ethic and his golden rule of ‘never lie in this job, your reputation as a law enforcement officer depends on that.’” How would Croft be remembered in Osceola? Fisher said, “I think the demographics of this county have changed so much since he’s been sheriff. I think the people that were here when he was sheriff will remember him well and in a very good light. Those that weren’t, sadly won’t care. People used to care who their sheriff was. Now it’s not about experience and knowledge and the best ‘cop and administrator’ for the job. Sheriff Croft was clearly those two things at the time he was elected and I know there are many that applaud his sacrifices for this community as not only a deputy sheriff under prior sheriffs, but as the sheriff himself.”
Croft is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nell Croft; son Charles Wayne Croft II; his daughter, Christy Weaver, brothers Gilbert and Clint ‘Mike’; sister Carolyn Jennings; grandchildren Emily, Kendal, Jackson, Keely, and Nathaniel; and greatgrandchildren, Winter and Willow.
