ABILENE, Texas — The Nolan County Sheriff’s Office has announced the death of former Sheriff Donnie Rannefeld, 80.
Sheriff David Warren said Rannefeld died peacefully at his Abilene Saturday, Dec. 9.
Rannefeld served as Nolan County Sheriff for three terms from 1997 until 2009. Prior to becoming sheriff, he was a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper for more than 26 years.
Warren said Rannefeld came back out of retirement from being sheriff and served another 3 ½ years as a NCSO deputy doing prisoner transports. He spent 45 years of full-time service as a Texas peace officer.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Nita and the entire Rannefeld family. Donnie Rannefeld leaves behind a legacy of public service and many close friends in law enforcement. He will be dearly missed," Warren said in a release.
An online obituary says the funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at First Baptist Church in Sweetwater with the Rev. Tique Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow in Roscoe Cemetery, directed by McCoy Funeral Home.
Rannefeld is survived by his wife, Nita Rannefeld of Abilene; daughter Melissa Rannefeld of Abilene; sister, Peggy Alexander of Mineola; grandsons, Zachary Taylor Wood and Landon Chase Powell, both of Abilene.
