Daniel Prince
COVID claims lives of Sgt. Tommy Cudd, Gen. Tommy Sinclair among many others
The final week of the year is typically a slow one for news, so over the next few days, in addition to fresh news, we’ll also take a look back at one or two big news stories of 2021. COVID has claimed the lives of 73 Union County citizens in 2021 so far, compared to 40 in 2020.
On January 28, Union County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tommy Cudd passed away in Spartanburg from complications of leukemia and COVID-related illnesses. Cudd was a 37-year veteran of law enforcement. The county lowered the courthouse flag to half-mast in Cudd’s memory. His funeral service was held at Union County Stadium.
Then, on February 17, Retired Army National Guard Brigadier General Tommy Sinclair died from complications of COVID. In addition to his military service in the Army and Army National Guard, Sinclair also was a longtime educator and administrator in Union County Schools and served as Union County Supervisor from 2009, when he was appointed to the post by then-governor Mark Sanford. He was elected to the post in 2010 and served one term before losing his reelection bid to current Supervisor Frank Hart. Sinclair had a record of service in Union County, serving in the Union County Republican Party, Union Civitan Club, Miracle League of Union County, and American Legion, where he served as District 10 Commander prior to his death.