Charles W. Maxwell Sr.

Charles W. Maxwell, Jr. Yellowstone County Sheriff Chuck Maxwell of Billings, Montana, held in the loving arms of family, passed away at home on June 26, 2009 of cancer. Charles W. Maxwell, Jr., known as "Chuck" to those in Montana, was born to Charles W., Sr. and Margaret Wiberg Maxwell on March 27, 1942, in Chambersburg, PA. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Maxwell of Concord, PA; his sister Pat McGee and husband Ronnie of Concord, PA; his sister Pam Hawbaker of Carlisle, PA and three nieces, Leisa Craver, Stacy Yakicic and Heather Hawbaker. He had three daughters, Kim Muir and husband Mike of New Hampshire, Kristy Noble and husband Randy of Montana, Kyra Stark and husband Vick of Montana and six grandchildren. On January 6, 2007 Chuck and Sharon, with their closest friends and family, shared in a wedding ceremony. For too short a time, Sharon shared her life with Chuck and gave him two additions to his family, a son Jeff and daughter Kristie plus eight grandchildren. He attended the Pennsylvania State Teachers College in Clarion, PA but in 1964 with the Vietnam War escalating, he joined the US Air Force, which stationed him at the radar base in Miles City. He served in military police. Once discharged from the service, Chuck went to work for the Custer County Sheriff's Office in Miles City. He achieved the rank of Undersheriff. During that time, he attended and graduated from the United States FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. In 1977 he moved to Billings, Montana where he went to work for the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office. After nine months in the patrol division, he was promoted to detective, the true love of his law enforcement life. He became the Chief of Detectives, rising in the ranks from Sergeant to Lieutenant until 1986 when he was appointed Sheriff Mike Schafer's Undersheriff. He served as Undersheriff for six years until 1992 when Schafer died in office. At Schafer's request, Chuck was appointed the Democratic Sheriff by the Republican Yellowstone County Commission. He was reelected to serve in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006. He was a tremendously distinguished Sheriff, a real source of pride for law enforcement in Montana and for the citizens of Yellowstone County. He was made the United States Law Enforcement Officer of the year by the United States Marshal's Service in a ceremony in Washington, DC in 1999. He served on the National Association of Counties. He headed the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association for several terms. He built a defensive driving training center and a firearms training range that are used as resources by law enforcement agencies throughout the West and Midwest. He served on the Board for the Rimrock Foundation and the Mental Health Center, the Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Parents, Lets Unite for Kids. He belonged to the Optimists Club. Sheriff Chuck Maxwell was highly respected throughout the state of Montana. His peers awarded him with the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association Distinguished Career Award on June 18, 2009. Chuck, you were our mentor, the standard of law enforcement that we strive to achieve but most of all, you were our friend and confidant. Dad, we are so proud to call you our Dad. As you have spent your life keeping us safe, we will forever keep you safe in our hearts.