Death in the Family: Suffolk County Sheriff Loses Wife

BOSTON, MA — Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins shared sad news this weekend: wife Suzanne Tompkins died Saturday, at age 54.

According to a public post, she passed away "peacefully surrounded by her beloved husband and family" after complications from a stroke.

The post on Tompkin's campaign Facebook page reads:

Suzanne is the loving mother of Christopher and Dayneece Tompkins. The Sheriff is heartbroken and thankful for all of the prayers and condolences from people across the Commonwealth. The family respectfully requests privacy during this difficult time.

Tompkins, who effectively won reelection to his county seat in this September's primary, temporarily suspended his concurrent campaign for state Democratic Party chairman on Friday, in light of his wife's condition.

Photo via Steven Tompkins campaign page