ASHLAND – Ashland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Timothy Kitts loved being a K-9 officer and was dedicated to eradicating the county of the drug problem. He loved his family and was a servant to the community. That was how the late Kitts was remembered Wednesday morning during his funeral service at Calvary Baptist Church on Davis Road.
Kitts, 51, died of a suspected heart attack Thursday, April 13, at his home. Kitts is survived by his wife Sherry of 9 years; sons Will and Thomas; mother Esther of Ashland; brothers Don (Brenda) Jr. of New London and Terry (Judy) Kitts of Ashland, uncle Kenny Light; and several nieces and nephews.
Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner remembered that Kitts started at the Sheriff’s Office not long after he did, starting a working relationship that lasted 26 years.
“Sherry commented to me a few days ago when we were talking that one of the things that Tim kind of relayed to her just recently was that he was married to his best friend, he had the best job that he could imagine having, he was driving a brand new K-9 unit … it was all good for him. He made the statement that he had it all. That’s what he thought. He just loved what he was doing,” Risner said.
“Sgt. Kitts was extremely dedicated to his job and profession. He exhibited all the qualities of a true professional. Honesty. Integrity. A strong work ethic. A true professional,” Risner said.
Risner said Kitts loved being a K-9 officer because it allowed him to target the drug issues that have affected the Ashland community.
“He never tired of searching out the drugs that plagued our community or catching the criminals who sold the poison to our young people,” Risner said. “He was always looking for that motherlode of drugs, to get them off the streets.”
“Sgt. Kitts, Tim, has made a lasting legacy, not only to the Sheriff’s office where he served for so many years, but also to this community, that he loved with all his heart,” Risner said. “Rest easy my friend. You performed your duty and you did good.”
Kitts’ step-son, Tommy, remembered how excited his dad was when he told him he was joining the Marines.
“When I decided to serve my country, my mom was not happy. But Tim could not stop talking about how proud he was of me,” Tommy said.
Tommy remembered how he tried to not like Kitts when he first started dating his mom.
“But that lasted for about a day, and then a bond was born that will never be broken,” Tommy said. “It was in this bond that Tim would teach me to shave, teach me to drive, teach me how to argue politics, teach me to shoot, to always do the right thing. To put others first. To never stop being there for your family. To find one thing that you love doing in life and to never let it go. To always make time for those you care about.”
“Tim was my dad even though he didn’t have to be. His love for me and the rest of our family is something that can never be questioned. He made me the man I am today and I will forever have him by my side. He is the strength that I and the rest of my family will carry with us. He was truly a great man and he was more than a boy could ever ask to come into his life to be a father and a husband to his mother,” Tommy said. “I love you, Tim. May you find peace, and we’ll take it from here.”
Following the funeral, a motorcade featuring dozens of law enforcement units from across North Central Ohio along with local units and family members and friends proceeded from the church to Ashland Memorial Park. Hundreds of people lined the route to show their respect and support for Kitts.
