(Clay County, MN) -- After being placed in hospice care recently due to increased issues with Alzheimer's disease, a former staple in the Clay County community has passed away.
Sheriff Mark Empting confirming to WDAY Radio that former Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist has "passed away peacefully with his family by his side" at 7:01 a.m. Friday morning.
Empting on Thursday had noted Bergquist's move to Hospice care in the wake of complications with Alzheimer's.
"The family would like to thank the community for the support you have given Bill over his many years of dedicated service," said Sheriff Empting in a statement released to WDAY Radio.
Bergquist began serving as the Sheriff of Clay County in 2002, and retired in 2019. He also served as a Moorhead officer and was involved in the D.A.R.E. Program before becoming sheriff. He was 64-years-old.