RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Complications from pneumonia have taken the life of veteran Randolph County Sheriff Maynard Reid Jr.

Greensboro.com reports the sheriff had been in the hospital for more than two weeks. He died Tuesday at age 69.

Until an interim sheriff is selected, Deputy Chief Ed Blair will run the operation, the website reported.

Reid had held the office since 2006.

Gov. Pat McCrory reacted to the news with sorrow and praise for Reid's service.

"Sheriff Reid demonstrated his deep commitment to his community, state and country through his public service as a Marine during the Vietnam War and as Randolph County Sheriff for the past 10 years," the governor said in a statement.