by WLOS staff
A former Buncombe County sheriff has died.
Bobby Lee Medford, 74, an inmate at the federal prison complex in Butner, died Wednesday as a result of complications from COVID-19, according to a news release.
Medford was evaluated Wednesday, May 20, for issues relating to hypoxia. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and further evaluation. It was there he tested positive for coronavirus, the release said.
Medford’s condition declined on May 21 and he was placed on a ventilator.
Medford, who had long-term, pre-existing medical conditions, was pronounced dead Wednesday, June 3, 2020, by hospital staff, the release said.
Medford was was sentenced in the Western District of North Carolina to a 15-year sentence for racketeering, violence, conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, obstruction of state and local law enforcement and conspiracy to conduct an illegal gambling business.
He had been in custody at Butner since Dec. 9, 2008.
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I’m sorry to hear that he has died from covid I was a victim of a false first-degree murder in his tenure at Buncombe County sheriff in 200 1 2003 I wish he have had an opportunity to feel freedom before he had passed on and died at home rather than Behind Bars no one knows what his last thoughts were other than himself but I’m sure she had plenty of time to think about all the things that he had done which is good and bad such as each and every one of us will do before we meet our maker and I hope that he rest in peace God bless