TAVARES, Fla. — Former Lake County Sheriff George Knupp, Jr. has died, according to the sheriff's office.
The Lake County Sheriff's office said Knupp was taken by ambulance to Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares Thursday morning at approximately 9:15. Just before 10:00am, the department announced that Knupp had died. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Knupp served as Lake County Sheriff from January of 1989 until 2004.
According to a Knupp election website, the former sheriff began his law enforcement career with the Maitland Police Department in 1960. In 1966, he became a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Department where he rose to the rank of captain.
From 1981 to 1988, Knupp was with the Seminole County Sheriff's Department where he commanded the aviation section.
Knupp then spent 15 years as the sheriff of Lake County. Knupp resigned as sheriff in 2004 as part of a plea deal with the State Attorney's Office to avoid prosecution for perjury.
In 2003, Florida Governor Jeb Bush ordered an investigation after there were allegations that the sheriff's family, friends and employees of his office were able to buy used vehicles at reduced costs. The grand jury determined there was nothing criminal about Knupp's actions, but that he did use improper judgment and abused his position. Knupp was accused of lying under oath to a grand jury.
In 2004, the Governor removed Knupp from office.