Dan Winters

Former Southold police chief Dan Winters died Feb. 23 in Florida after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.

Mr. Winters joined the department in 1957, worked his way up from sergeant to lieutenant and was named chief in 1981. He held that position until his retirement in 1991.

“He was a good man and a good chief,” said current Police Chief Ty Cochran. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”

Private funeral services will take place in Florida. The Winters family will hold a memorial service in Southold sometime in the near future.