ORANGEBURG (WACH) -- Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams has died. Officials confirmed he passed away Tuesday afternoon at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia.
The Orangeburg Times and Democrat reported earlier this month the sheriff had been in the hospital for almost a month, suffering from an undisclosed illness.
Orangeburg County Sheriff Chief Deputy Barbara Walters released this statement: "The men and women of the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office are deeply saddened by the loss of our Sheriff Larry Williams. His passing leaves a void in the state’s law enforcement community that was filled by a man with a giant heart for his county and the state. His love for the citizens of Orangeburg County was marked by more than 30 years as a community servant."
Sheriff Williams was in the middle of his third term.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
WACH FOX News will continue to follow the story and will provide updates as soon as they become available.