DARLINGTON — The Lafayette County law enforcement community is grieving the loss of one of their own. On Sunday, Nov. 19, Robert Canfield, a part-time Deputy Sheriff, died in an Oneida County traffic accident involving a semi-truck.
“Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office unfortunately lost a valued member of our staff,” Sheriff Reg Gill said in a press release Nov. 24. “(Bob), was a wonderful, interesting gentleman with a unique personality and even more unique story as to his journey to become part of the Sheriff’s Office staff.”
Canfield was a late entry into law enforcement — in 2013, at age 67, he attended Madison Area Technical College’s Law Enforcement Academy.
Gill said Canfield, who was familiar with former Sheriff Scott Pedley and former Detective Sgt Joe Thompson through their involvement in the Freemasons, successfully completed and began his service with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) as a volunteer. He served as a volunteer until 2015, when he was promoted to a paid part-time sheriff’s deputy role.
Canfield served many roles within the department during his time with the Sheriff’s Office — prisoner transports, assisting with staff training, scene or prisoner security, and most recently as Court Security Deputy/Court Bailiff.
“For ten years, Bob volunteered and worked part-time, all while driving to Lafayette County from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin,” Gill said. “On occasion, Bob would even stay overnight at the hotel in Darlington if the weather was going to be questionable, or a court trial would run late into the evening, in order to ensure that he would be on time the next day. Bob truly exhibited a heart of service. Bob always had an interested story or a joke (often rather colorful) to tell. His upbeat personality and wit will surely be missed.”
Gill expressed heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the LCSO to Bob’s special friend and his family as they grieve their loss.
“As news of Bob’s passing has circulated, we have received numerous correspondences from county employees from the courthouse, attorneys, judges, members of the media and former Sheriff’s Office employees, all expressing warm thoughts and remembrances of Bob which clearly demonstrates the tremendous impact he had on so many that he had interactions with,” Gill said. “Bob will truly be missed by all of us.”
The Darlington Police Department also shared their gratitude for Canfield in a social media post dated Nov. 22:
“All of us at DPD wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Canfield who died in an automobile crash over the weekend. Deputy Canfield was assigned to court security at the Lafayette County Courthouse in Darlington. Bob touched so many lives in the very best way. We’re grateful we got the chance to know him and pray that God will bless all those mourning his loss with comfort and peace during this difficult time.”
Canfield was born in April 1947 in Sparta and grew up near Tomah before moving to the Chippewa Falls area in 1959. He graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1965 and went on to serve four years in the U.S. Navy. He worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for 30 years.
According to his obituary, Canfield “has unselfishly given his time and energy to his family, career, community, and Masonry … Bob became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine of Zor Shriners in 1980. Bob was a life member of Zor Pipes & Drums Unit. Bob was active as a Piper in the Pipes and Drums Unit for over 18 years.”
Canfield is survived by a daughter and two adult grandchildren.
Services are slated for Dec. 9 at the Eau Claire Masonic Center. The Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service is assisting the family.