Derrick W. Diggs

1955 - 2023

News story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

Derrick W. Diggs, who rose through the ranks to become police chief in Toledo, his hometown, and later served as police chief of Fort Myers, Fla., died Wednesday in ProMedica Toledo Hospital. He was 67.

He had cancer, said his son Derrick D. Diggs, a Lucas County sheriff's sergeant.

Chief Diggs had been on medical leave from his Fort Myers duties since July. He retired as Toledo police chief in January, 2014, and became Fort Myers chief in 2016.

Chief Diggs became the first African-American to lead the Toledo police department when then-Mayor Mike Bell appointed him in October, 2011. At his swearing in, the new chief delivered a speech centered on his son and his mother, Martha Thompson, who wasn't able to attend.

"I wouldn't be standing here today if it wasn't for her," he said, noting that she'd worked multiple jobs to support the family. "She probably never knew, working those three jobs, she never left me wanting anything. She probably never knew she'd have a son that's chief of the Toledo Police Department," he said.

Mr. Bell said Wednesday: "He was a natural leader. People were able to follow him easy, because he was so direct in his approach. Not only would he set up a target that needed to be met but would give people resources and hold them accountable.

"He didn't micromanage," said Mr. Bell, who remained a close friend. "He told them where they needed to be and what they needed to achieve. They reacted in a positive way."

In Fort Myers, Mr. Bell said, "He was using the same formulas he used up here. He reinvented himself and reinvented a community."

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, in a statement, recalled that his father, Walter, a retired Toledo police officer, and Chief Diggs were in the same 1977 police class. His father told stories of the high standard the future chief set in the academy.

"So it is not an exaggeration to say that Chief Diggs has been my standard of police excellence since I was 5 years old," Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. "Chief Diggs was a national leader in policing and among the first to embrace the idea of data-based policing. He was also the rare leader who was respected as much by the rank-and-file as he was by his peers in administration."

In becoming chief, he succeeded another member of the 1977 police class, Mike Navarre, now Lucas County sheriff.

"He could be demanding, but that's what we want from our leaders," Sheriff Navarre said.

He also was an innovator and a proponent of technology to aid law enforcement, such as cameras and gunshot-detection devices.

"He was always looking for ways to make the department more efficient and provide a higher level of service," Sheriff Navarre said, "always thinking of ways to make the very dangerous job of police officers less dangerous."

Most years, the pair met at Ventura's Mexican Restaurant on the anniversary of their appointment to the police force, for margaritas and wings. He might have seemed aloof to some, but "that certainly wasn't the case," Sheriff Navarre said.

Chief Diggs also forged an alliance with now-retired Sheriff John Tharp. They first worked together on the Toledo police vice metro drug unit.

"He was always on the go, working, thinking about what needs to be done next," Mr. Tharp said. "The friendship never stopped."

Born May 25, 1955, Derrick Willard Diggs was a graduate of DeVilbiss High School, where he was quarterback on the football team. He also played football for Adrian College, from which he received a bachelor's degree in sociology and political science. He later received a master's degree in public administration from the University of Toledo.

It was his childhood ambition to be a police officer. During his Toledo tenure, he worked in nearly every section of the police department. He was promoted to sergeant in 1986; lieutenant in 1990; captain in 1995; deputy chief in 2001 and became assistant chief of police in 2010.

Sergeant Diggs recalled his father's support, from attending high school football games to encouraging his service in the Marine Corps. In 2020, Chief Diggs pinned the sergeant's badge on his son during a sheriff's office promotion ceremony.

"Every little boy wants to be like your dad," Sergeant Diggs said.

Surviving are his son, Derrick D. Diggs; sister, Shirley Tucker, and three grandsons.

Arrangements are pending at Ansberg-West Funeral Home.