'He knew how to connect with people': Remembering veteran law officer Mike McQuaig
Tears. Smiles. Laughter. Stories.
Family, old friends, new friends and law enforcement officials from different agencies gathered inside First Baptist Church of Ocala early Friday afternoon to say their goodbyes to Mike McQuaig.
Before the service began, McQuaig's brown casket, covered by the American flag with two honor guards posted at opposite ends, was at the front of the podium.
A military veteran, McQuaig was Dunnellon Police chief from 2016 to 2023. McQuaig began his career at the Marion County Sheriff's Office, where he worked for 30 years. Aside from his career in law enforcement, McQuaig worked for the U.S. State Department, training law enforcement officers overseas, and as an investigator for the State Attorney's Office, specializing in cold cases.
McQuaig, 75, died at his Morriston residence on Feb. 1.
Remembering Mike McQuaig
Pastor Russ Randall of First Baptist Church of Dunnellon led off the service by welcoming the hundreds of men, women and children at the huge Ocala church.
Randall said McQuaig was "a wonderful man" who had "a tremendous impact" on everyone he met.
Randall said he and McQuaig developed "a deep friendship," and McQuaig aimed to make the city of Dunnellon a great place to live.
Sheriff Billy Woods told the audience he often leaned on McQuaig for advice. To the family, the sheriff said though his friend is no longer with them in person, his memory lives on through them because he planted a seed of himself in each and every one of them.
"I will miss my friend," Woods said.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken called McQuaig "a humble man" whose leadership and knowledge knew no boundaries. Tapping into those traits, Balken said, he asked the former police chief to teach about leadership.
He thanked McQuaig's family for sharing McQuaig with the community.
Former sheriff's Deputy Tom Tittle said McQuaig was a master of many trades. One of them was being the wedding photographer at his wedding on Feb. 9, 1980.
"He knew how to connect with people," Tittle said.
Tittle ended by saying McQuaig is "gone from our sights, but not our hearts."
Retired Circuit Judge Willard Pope remembered the time he first met McQuaig at the sheriff's office in the early 1970s.
Pope also recalled the time McQuaig took care of his son and saved his life when both of them were shot on Nov. 4, 1980. Pinned down by the shooter, Pope said, McQuaig carried him 75 yards across an open field to safety.
The judge said McQuaig was a hero.
McQuaig's family speaks
McQuaig's children and grandchildren offered their memories, as well.
Granddaughters Jasmine and Briana said their grandfather was their hero. He believed in them and often told them how much he loved and adored them. They said their grandfather had a heart of gold and they will miss his broad smile.
Children Claude, Christina and Keith talked about growing up with their father on the farm. The children said their father worked hard to provide for them and the family. On the farm, the children said, they learned life skills and drove a tractor. They know how much he loved spending time with them.
The children said their father was involved in their children's lives, knew how to fix anything, and was an amazing man who had a great life.
The service, attended by judges, politicians (past and present) and well-wishers, concluded with the sheriff leading the procession from the church to the courtyard.
Mike McQuaig: 'The county has lost a great man': Mike McQuaig, former Dunnellon police chief, dies at 75.
The casket was placed in the hearse that traveled to Unity Baptist in Anthony.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Veteran officer Mike McQuaig receives final tribute at Friday service
