Retired Youngstown Police Detective William J. Blanchard died unexpectedly Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown with his daughter and close friends by his side.

Blanchard, 66, of Boardman, most recently had a private law practice downtown.

But he played a major role in his capacity as a detective in helping solve cases over the years involving some of Youngstown's most dangerous and high-profile criminals.

In 2007, Blanchard and his colleagues resubmitted DNA evidence that had been preserved for more than 20 years to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's crime lab to be tested in the murder of a Youngstown State University student.

They got a hit and more than 22 years after the crime arrested Bennie Adams for the 1985 rape, robbery and murder of YSU co-ed Gina Tenney.

Blanchard made the arrest along with his colleague and friend the late Joe DeMatteo, a detective-sergeant in charge of the Youngstown Police Crime Lab.

Adams was convicted of the murder and is now serving time in prison.

Blanchard was also the lead detective in the Willie "Flip" Williams case. 

Williams was known for what some called the "Labor Day Massacre." Four young men were shot and killed execution style in a home on the city's East Side back in 1991.

After being arrested, Williams broke out of the old Mahoning County Jail and broke into the juvenile justice center in an attempt to get to witnesses in the case.  He was talked out by his mother and taken back into custody.

Williams was executed in October of 2005 after being convicted and sentenced to Ohio's Death Row.

Blanchard retired from YPD after 36 years at the department, he also served as the department's fiscal officer for 13 years.

In remembering Blanchard his friend and former colleague Lieutenant Doug Bobovnyik had this to say, "Bill was the consummate policeman.  He was smart, articulate, unafraid, compassionate, had a great sense of humor, and of course the best dressed!  We all wanted to be just like him."

Detective-Sergeant Ron Rodway was Blanchard's closest friend.  A friendship that has endured nearly four decades, "In 1987 the ranks of detective and sergeant were combined.  They were previously separate ranks and the detective rank was considered more prestigious.  Captain Robert Kane, YPD's Chief of Detectives at the time, called them "true blues" and Bill was very proud of this and was a consummate professional.  Homicide detectives were the cream of the crop.  A homicide detective was the best.  Bill was the last "true detective" when he retired and the rank of detective went with him."

It is highly unusual for the reporter writing the story to make a comment, but in this case William J. Blanchard was a long time friend.  He had a tough exterior, but a compassionate heart.  He once told me maybe I was too nice to be a reporter because early on in my career I took things too personally.  But he encouraged me to get a thicker skin and have confidence in what I do, and know that there are people depending on me. 

Blanchard leaves behind his daughter, Jennifer Blanchard, sisters Sherry (David) Riffer of Ohio and Karen Roberts of Missouri; and his beloved Scotties.

Calling hours will be held  Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Fox Funeral Home in Boardman.