Douglas “Doug” Warren Sanford

May 4, 1973 – March 29, 2022

Douglas “Doug” Warren Sanford passed away on March 29, 2022 at the age of 48 after battling an illness.

He was born in Grand Rapids, Mich. on May 4, 1973 and grew up in Lowell, Mich. with his parents, Dennis and Sharon, and sister, Jan.

Mr. Sanford then met his wife, Heather, who he married in Dec. 1994. They raised their 2 children in Belding, Mich. and in 2010 moved to Indianapolis where they eventually settled into their home in Sheridan. Despite the challenges he faced throughout the illness, he remained sarcastic and strong until the end.

Mr. Sanford began his law enforcement career with the Ionia County Sheriff Office Reserves in 2003 where he also did animal control until 2010. He then moved to Indiana in 2010 and worked as an Animal Control Officer for Indianapolis until 2013. In 2013, he joined Carmel Police Department as their Community Service Officer until 2015. In 2015, Mr. Sanford joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as their Humane Law Enforcement Officer, and was also the vice president of Hoosier Animal Law Officers (HALO est. 2017.) He was a Deputy with HCSO until the day that he passed.

Though Mr. Sanford was very passionate about law enforcement and helping the animals of Hamilton County, in his free time he enjoyed shooting guns and pheasant and deer hunting with his friends. He also enjoyed spending time on Bois Blanc Island with his family and, of course, he enjoyed sitting in his recliner, drinking watered down Kool-Aid and watching YouTube. Mr. Sanford was also a proud member of the NRA and HALO.

Survivors include his beautiful wife, Heather Sanford (nee Wright); son Holdan (Erlmae); daughter Brittney (Earl); mother Sharon Sanford (nee Collins); sister Janero (Steve) Babcock; best friend/brother Jon Stollings; and his loyal hunting dog, Deke.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Sanford; grandparents Kenneth and Phoebe Sanford and Paul and Elaine Collins.

Mr. Sanford’s Celebration of Life is scheduled to be held on April 16, 2022 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument Street, Noblesville, Ind. 46060. Visitation is scheduled to be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the memorial service scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

The family requests memorial donations be sent to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation, 18100 Cumberland Road, Noblesville, Ind. 46060, or online at https://www.hcsocommunityfoundation.com/donate

Condolences can be made online at www.randallroberts.com.