Colgate University announced on March 22 that Sean Dougherty, assistant director and lead investigator of the Campus Safety Department, passed away on Tuesday, March 19.

The sad news was shared with members of the Colgate community in an email signed by Vice President and Dean of the College Paul J. McLoughlin II, Associate Vice President for Emergency Management, Campus Safety and Environmental Health and Safety Joseph Hernon and Director of Campus Safety Terri Stewart.

“In his time at Colgate, Sean brought new energy, ideas and warmth to the campus,” the email read. “Sean was dedicated to his job but equally dedicated to his friends and family. He had an affable, endearing nature and was always willing to lend a hand with a smile and a laugh.”

Dougherty began working at Colgate 13 months ago, following his previous job at the Oneida County Office of Children and Family Services, where he provided preventative services for families and children in crisis as a lead case planner. Dougherty also served as a sergeant and lieutenant at the Utica Police Department, where he worked for 20 years. In addition to acting as a liaison to the Oneida County Department of Mental Health, Dougherty led the juvenile aid division and crime scene unit and was a member of the county overdose response team.

The email concluded by sharing available counseling resources for employees and asking community members to keep Dougherty’s family and all those who have worked alongside him in the Campus Safety Department in their thoughts. Services for Dougherty will be held on Wednesday, March 27, at 3 p.m. at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica, N.Y.

The Colgate Maroon-News joins the entire Colgate community in mourning the loss of Sean Dougherty.