FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Fayette County Circuit Clerk and former two-term Sheriff Steve Kessler died Wednesday night after a sudden and unexpected illness, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
“I got a call last night from our prosecuting attorney, and he told me the bad news,” Fayette County Commission President Matthew Wender said. “I could tell when I answered the phone there was something wrong. It didn’t take long to get the sense that this was not going to be a good phone call.”
Wender said he was told Kessler suffered several bee stings while mowing grass Wednesday evening. Reports indicate Kessler’s wife tried to help him but he died suddenly. An official cause of death has not been released.
Kessler, who was in his late 50s, was a former police officer with Mount Hope Police Department and a 1980 graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy. He joined the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department in 1981, where he served until retiring last year. Wender said he had known Kessler for 35 years, both as a friend and in a professional capacity.
“I’m heartbroken over his passing,” he said. “I knew Steve well for many, many years. Somebody that I held in very high regard.”
Kessler served 36 years in the sheriff’s department, including serving as an undercover drug investigator, member of the county’s original SWAT team, a DARE instructor, detective, a patrol supervisor, Fayetteville detachment commander, Chief Deputy, and a bailiff in Fayette County Circuit Court. In particular, Wender said, Sheriff Kessler went above and beyond both in and out of the uniform during the floods of June 23.
“He was a pleasure to work with,” Wender said. “He was a pleasure to know. And I also know that there are other parts of Steve that I saw about his compassion for people, outside of his professional role, the deep friendship that he held for people, and his willingness to help people.”
“If he was needed, he did it. He was a person with compassion and professionalism.”
Kessler took office as Sheriff of Fayette County in 2009. He served in that role for eight years.
“The loss of Steve Kessler is an unbelievable tragedy for the citizens of Fayette County,” Sheriff Mike Fridley said. “Steve literally spent his entire adult life in public service to the citizens of the County. the current and former Deputy Sheriffs who worked with him are devastated at this tragic loss.”
Kessler leaves behind a wife, three daughters, and four grandchildren.
“It’s a big, empty spot for a lot of us,” Wender said. “And we will miss him. That’s for sure.”
Kessler ended his two terms as sheriff last December. He was elected circuit clerk in November and was sworn-in back in January.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized at this time.