SANDY, UT. (THECOUNT) — Bill O’Neal, the police chief of Sandy City, Utah, died suddenly on Sunday, the Sandy City Police Department confirmed Monday.

O’Neal, 48, who was praised for his innovative ideas when he took charge in 2018, passed away of unknown causes, according to reports.

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O’Neal served as a police officer in Sandy for two decades before becoming chief, reports Heavy.

The tragic message was posted late in the evening of January 12, 2020. “Sandy – Passing of Sandy City Police Chief William ‘Bill’ O’Neal,” it was headlined.

“In announcing his selection of O’Neal for the position of police chief, Mayor Kurt Bradburn said, “During the interview process, Chief O’Neal stood out for his innovative and forward-thinking ideas. He exemplified great leadership and has risen to the challenges placed on him as the Interim Police Chief.”

A cause of death for Bill O’Neal was not given.

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Geo quick facts: Sandy is a city in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, located in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. The population of Sandy was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah – Wikipedia.