GASTONIA––He was one of Gaston County’s finest.

He was Gaston County Police Department Sgt. Danny Osborne, and for him, the day is done. The GCPD announced Wednesday that its personnel are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of Osborne, hailed as a family member and a true friend of the department.

Osborne lost his battle with Cushing’s disease on Sept. 7. He was 52.

Osborne began his career with the Gaston County Police Department in 1999. During his career, he played vital roles in several of its units. He served as a police officer on patrol, a field training officer (or FTO), an honor guard member, an emergency-response team member, a special-investigations unit detective and a sergeant over patrol. Whether his fellow GCPD staffers worked closely with Osborne in specific units or simply passed him in the hallway, he had the unique ability to make people’s days better with either a simple smile or a positive word. He had a positive impact upon everyone, whether it was with those within the department, neighboring departments or residents within the local community.

Osborne is survived by Sara, his loving wife of 30 years; his two sons, Little Danny and Jesse; and his daughter, Allie. Hailed as being “a cop’s cop” and regarded as a brother by his fellow officers, Sgt. Osborne valued his roles as a supervisor, co-worker, servant and friend. But none came close to the value he placed in being a dedicated family man.