Caledonia County mourns Sheriff James Hemond

 Caledonia County is grieving the loss of Sheriff James Hemond who passed away at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after battling cancer. Hemond, who was commended for his compassion and dedication to his community, was escorted back to St. Johnsbury Sunday afternoon by numerous police and emergency vehicles from around the county. Hundreds of people posted expressions of sympathy for his family, friends and colleagues, praise for Hemond, and remembrances of his work throughout the community. Sunday afternoon a procession was organized to bring Hemond home from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center before concluding at Sayles Funeral Home. Last month the Sheriff’s Department deputies and staff honored Hemond with a plaque that dedicated the Sheriff’s Department building to him. In doing so they noted Hemond was instrumental in getting their building on Memorial Drive renovated so that the department could grow and provide more services to the community. Hemond, of Waterford, was elected Sheriff in November 2022. Before becoming Sheriff he was Chief Deputy at the department and held the rank of Captain. He had been a member of the sheriff’s department for 17 years prior to his election.