Curtis, who served as a Middletown police officer for 23 years, died Saturday at Atrium Medical Center. He was 74. He was hired as a police officer in 1975 and retired as a sergeant in 1998, his wife said.
Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw said Curtis was his patrol sergeant for about five years. He said Curtis was “a cop’s cop,” who was quick to compliment his officers, but also served as a father figure.
“He was just a good guy,” Muterspaw said. “He will be missed.”
Curtis was diagnosed with a blood cancer three years ago, and was beginning his second round of chemotherapy, his wife said.
He also served in the U.S. Air Force with an honorable discharge and was a lifetime member of the Middletown Sportsman’s Club. He usually shot at the club every Tuesday and Friday.
Besides his wife, Curtis is survived by his daughters, Toni Howard of Centerville and Cara (Dan) Wielgus of Germantown; son, Chris (Michelle) Combs of Middletown; grandchildren, Shayla, Madison, Grace, DJ, Tallie and Tiffany; four great-grandchildren; father and mother-in-law, Ross and Anna Myers; sister, Theda Cassidy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Baker-Stevens-Parramore Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will follow at 7 p.m. with Mike Crutchfield officiating. Police honors will be performed by the Middletown Police Department Honor Guard.
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