The Ogemaw County community is mourning the loss of Sgt. Vincent Michael Tomassi, a corrections officer who served for over thirty years. ABC12 reports that Tomassi died outside his home in West Branch on Tuesday, under circumstances deemed "natural causes."

Emergency response teams, having received a call about an unresponsive individual, found Tomassi lying next to his residence and attempted to revive him with life-saving measures. These measures were performed by the first responders who arrived at the scene. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, as detailed in a social media post by the Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office.

Known to many by his nickname "Vinnie," Tomassi began his tenure as a correctional officer on July 20, 1994, and he quickly made an impact with his strong dedication and compassionate nature. He rose through the ranks, holding positions like Correctional Officer and Corporal, before being promoted to Sergeant in October 2021, according to the Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office.

Tomassi is survived by his mother, Barbara Tomassi; sister, Debbie (Patrick) Tomassi-Turcutte; nephew, Hunter Turcotte; and step-nieces, Tiffany Neikart and Holly Turcotte-Smith. A Celebration of Life event is scheduled for the spring of 2025. Donations in his memory may be made to the Ogemaw Kids Club, as indicated by the Sheriff's Office. Local law enforcement and emergency service agencies have been acknowledged for their support during this time.