'The county has lost a great man': Mike McQuaig, former Dunnellon police chief, dies at 75.

DUNNELLON — Mike McQuaig, the former Dunnellon Police chief who also worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies, died Thursday (Feb. 1, 2024) at age 75.

His wife, Cyndie, said he died as the result of a farm accident. She found him Thursday morning and called 911. When first responders arrived, he was pronounced dead. They lived in Morriston.

The McQuaigs were married 17 years and between them have five children, some of whom serve in law enforcement. McQuaig also has a granddaughter who is a Marion County Sheriff's deputy.

A military veteran, McQuaig was Dunnellon Police chief from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he worked for the sheriff's office for 30 years. He also worked for the U.S. State Department, training law enforcement officers overseas; and as an investigator for the State Attorney's Office, where he specialized in cold cases.

"He could fix anything," Cyndie McQuaig said. He loved his children and grandchildren, and his death will leave "a huge void" in the family.

Officials remember McQuaig

Sheriff Billy Woods said: "I lost a friend today. The county has lost a great man. Mike was a man who gave his life for this community, whether it was (in) a green or blue uniform, and the loss is ours."

What will Woods miss? "His wisdom, his advice and his big old smile."

Dunnellon Mayor Walter Green called McQuaig "a wonderful and dedicated public servant." He said the former chief was a good person, a friend, and it was a pleasure to have known him.

Green said he recently talked with McQuaig about getting together for a meal sometime soon.

State Attorney Bill Gladson said McQuaig "touched the lives of thousands of people during his 50-year career in law enforcement. Gladson added that McQuaig "was a dedicated professional, a patriot, and a loving husband and father. Marion County is a better place because of his service to our community. Please keep his family in your prayers and give them some space."

More tributes to McQuaig

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said: "Chief McQuaig was one of the finest law enforcement officers that I've ever had the pleasure to work with. He was a dedicated public servant, a consummate professional, and the epitome of a true American lawman."

Balken said McQuaig "was a great friend, a great mentor, and someone who I cared for deeply. He will be missed by many, certainly by me, my family, and our entire law enforcement community."

Present Dunnellon Police Chief Chris Scaglione called McQuaig "a great boss," who hired him after leaving the OPD, where Scaglione was an officer for 27 years.

The way McQuaig presented himself and his knowledge of law enforcement duties inspired Scaglione to apply for the chief's job when McQuaig retired.

The chief said McQuaig instilled "confidence in him," and even though he (McQuaig) was chief, treated him as an equal when they worked side by side. Scaglione said before submitting his application, he called and told McQuaig he was going to apply for the job.

"He wanted nothing but success for me and the department," Scaglione said.

McQuaig and Holland gave supplies to the less fortunate

Belleview Police Chief Terry Holland, a friend of McQuaig's, said McQuaig was "a great guy and friend to everyone." He said McQuaig had the unique ability to work in all areas of law enforcement: training law enforcement officials through the U.S. State Department, working in the drug unit, working in the county jail, and serving with detectives and other departments.

When McQuaig was chief, he and Holland collected supplies and drove to the Florida Panhandle to deliver them after Hurricane Michael in 2018.

"I'm going to miss his friendship. I'm going to miss going to conferences with him. We would check on each other," Holland said.

Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls said he was saddened to hear about McQuaig's death. He sent his deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. The two served together at the sheriff's office.

"The law enforcement world will feel the impact of this loss," Rolls said.

McQuaig's wife said her husband's funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Criminal Justice Institute or CJI, in memory of Mike McQuaig.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com 

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Veteran law officer Mike McQuaig dies at 75; led Dunnellon Police Dept.