(GRAFTON, ND) – A longtime police chief in the Northern Red River Valley has died.
LeRoy McCann, who served as the police chief of the Grafton Police Department for 24 years, died Tuesday at the age of 81.
McCann began his career with the Grafton Police Department in 1973, where he served as a patrolman, sergeant, detective and assistant chief, before being named Chief in 1979. He was the longest serving chief in the department’s history, retiring in 2003.
McCann was awarded the Lone Eagle, North Dakota’s highest law enforcement award.
Services for McCann will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Grafton, with visitation beginning 90 minutes prior to the service.
“On behalf of the Grafton Police Department, I would first like to offer our condolences to the family and friends of Chief McCann,” current Grafton Police Chief Anthony Dumas said in a statement to WDAY/WZFG Radio News. “I would also like his family to know that we, and all who knew LeRoy, suffer their pain of loss with them.”
Dumas said McCann will be known for his work to pick up extra assignments.
“In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, when the Grafton Public School would host regional basketball tournaments, Chief McCann would do traffic control, on foot, ensuring the safety of drivers and pedestrians going to and from the school,” he said. “He did this, despite weather, and allowed his subordinates the assignment of being indoors, ensuring the safety of the crowds, inside, while he braved the elements.”
Dumas was the last person hired by McCann.
