Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Dies
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STEUBENVILLE -- Fred Abdalla, in his 37th year and fifth term as the sheriff of Jefferson County, died early Tuesday morning, according to multiple sources at the sheriff's department and the county government.
Abdalla, who had served as sheriff since 1985, also served as a coroner's investigator for three years and Stratton mayor for 13 years.
A graduate of Catholic Central High School who attended Ohio State University and the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, Abdalla was an Army veteran, having served two years in Vietnam, receiving several awards and commendations. He had been the recipient of several community awards including the Salvation Army Community Service Award and the First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union Community Service Award.
On Sept. 8, 2019, the Mingo Business Association honored Abdalla during a testimonial dinner held before a packed house at the Mingo Knights of Columbus Hall.
"The Mingo Junction Business Association has chosen to recognize a man who has left a huge footprint in Jefferson County and beyond," Jim Freiling, association representative, had said in promoting the event.
"Sheriff Abdalla is a person who has not only given his time to many of our projects here in Mingo Junction, but has also given himself to every community. He is a special man, and we all need to let him know much we appreciate all the years he has protected us, especially the elderly and our children. The man has sacrificed his own personal time with his family and friends. This is our opportunity to show him how much we appreciate all his years of service as sheriff."
Freiling had noted Abdalla at Christmas had provided toys and gifts to children for more than 40 years, including monetary donations to the Urban Mission, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Special Olympics, Dream Come True and 4-H.
Freiling said Abdalla has helped with events in Mingo Junction. In 2008, the first year of the business association's Christmas show, Abdalla read the poem, "The Night Before Christmas," to the children.
"The children just loved meeting him and hearing him read the Christmas story," Freiling had said.
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