Benjamin J. Mcpeek

Benjamin Jerome McPeek, 71, of Franklin, Indiana, formerly of Borden, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Benjie was born and raised in Sandusky, Ohio, and was a 1970 graduate of Perkins High School. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army and proudly served during the Vietnam War. He was a certified law enforcement officer for the State of Ohio, serving at the Erie County Sheriff Office. Benjie's tenure at the sheriff's office included such roles as certified underwater scuba diver with Erie County Sheriff Office, underwater recovery team, and a certified police canine trainer and handler until his medical retirement. Benjie owned and operated Firelands Kennels in Amherst, Ohio, where he imported police canines from Germany and Czechoslovakia for law enforcement purposes. His expertise with training dogs over the years qualified him as a court recognized expert. Some of his dogs were used nationally and internationally at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Korea for bomb detection and crowd control. Benjie relocated to Borden, Indiana, approximately 25 years ago and lived there with his spouse, Betsy.

He was born on February 7, 1952, in Sandusky, Ohio, to the late John McPeek and Emma (Powell) McPeek. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Betsy McPeek.

Benjie is survived by his siblings, Joseph P. McPeek (Donna) and William Scott McPeek of Sandusky, Ohio; children, Ryan M. McPeek (Anastasia) of Lakewood, Ohio, and Sarah K. Elms (Eric) of California; grandchildren, Alyssa, Olivia, and Wesley Elms, all of California; and nieces and nephews, Joey Maguth (Brad), Jessika Luyster (Michael), Megan Lauer (Willie), and Major Christian McPeek (Angel).

Cremation was chosen following Benjie's wishes, and he will be laid to rest at New Albany National Cemetery.

Contributions in Benjie's memory may be made to the Police K-9 Fund, Erie County Sheriff's Office, 2500 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870.

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