Members of the Bellefontaine Police Department lost one of their fellow officers Friday.
Officer Craig Comstock, 42, passed away unexpectedly at his Bellefontaine area residence. It appears he died while asleep, officers said.
Officers responded to his residence about 4:15 p.m. and were assisted by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Bellefontaine Fire Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Logan County Coroner’s Office.
The Montgomery County Medical Examiner’s Office is performing an autopsy.
The 17-year police veteran began working for the department on May 20, 2002. He served as a patrol officer, a narcotics detective for nine years and since 2011 as a member of the department’s Special Response Team to help combat the local opioid epidemic.
He leaves behind a wife, Michelle, a son, Cole and daughter, Carisse.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Eichholtz, Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Bellefontaine.
“Craig was a very well respected member of our team. He was a very skilled detective and has served our community to reduce narcotic traffic since 2011,” Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler said.
“Craig was really good at his job. He was very well liked by fellow officers. He was talented and dedicated. His love for family and friends were second to none. This is a tragic and shocking loss.”
Several community members have updated their profile pictures on Facebook with photos of a city police badge with a black band around it in honor of officer Comstock.
Below is a message posted to BPD’s Facebook page Saturday morning.
Our BPD family has lost one of our own. Officer Craig Comstock, age 42, passed away suddenly yesterday. It appears that he passed in his sleep. The Montgomery County Medical Examiner is assisting along with the Logan County Coroner’s Office.
Craig was a dedicated, 17-year veteran of our agency. He served most recently as a Narcotics Detective for nine years. His service in narcotics work was extraordinary, and saved countless lives. Through this effort, Craig was honored by the agency in receiving Letters of Commendation and Medals. He was also known for his service as a Special Response Team member.
Craig leaves behind his wife of nearly 20 years, a son and a daughter. His love of family is what made him a special member of our team. We join the Comstock family in mourning their loss, and pray for peace and healing in this time of great loss.
We would especially like say thank you to the Bellefontaine Fire Department, Logan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Highway Patrol for their quick response to help us through one of our roughest days. To each of you who have sent texts, made calls, emails, or reached out in some other way to support us… THANK YOU!