Dad passes away after father-daughter dance at wedding

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Photo: Jeni Buchanan/GoFundMe

A long-time sheriff's detective has passed away, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina.

Sheriff Bruce Bryant says Master Deputy II Tim Buchanan, 54, died unexpectedly over the weekend.

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“During this difficult time, thank you for all of your prayers for Det. Buchanan’s family, and everyone who worked with him here at the York County Sheriff’s Office. #YCSOFamily,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook.

"All of our hearts are saddened about the loss of this great Law Enforcement officer. Tim dedicated almost 19 years to this profession as an outstanding Deputy, Forensics Investigator and most recently Detective in Computer Crimes. His talents will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time," Sheriff Bruce Bryant said.

Det. Buchanan and his wife were in Costa Rica for their daughter’s wedding when he suffered a heart attack after the father-daughter dance, according to friends of the family.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Det. Buchanan’s family. Click here to donate or follow the link: https://www.gofundme.com/jenibuchanan.

“He was the most beautiful soul I have ever known and I will never be the same without him,” Buchanan’s wife, Jeni, posted on Facebook. “I know he loved me and our family.”

Right now the family is asking for no phone calls at this time. Instead, they are asking for prayers.

“Once we have plans settled, someone will update or announce them. For now, just pray. [Tim] was always the one to make us feel better when things went wrong and so we need all the prayers we can get.”

Read Det. Buchanan's obituary here:

Timothy “Tim” Stephen Buchanan, 54 of Rock Hill, SC passed away in San Jose, Costa Rica on Saturday, September 3, 2016.

Tim was born February 17, 1962 to James and Clara Buchanan, and was the oldest of three children.

His life was centered around his family and he loved them all very much. He was preceded in death by his father James Buchanan, survived by his mother Clara, his sister Susan Miller and husband Arne, sister Phyllis Parker, his wife Jeni that loves him bigger than the sky, son Ben Buchanan and his wife Emily, daughter Rachel Buchanan Nigro, husband Vinny, and grandson Ezra, daughter Whitney Michele (Howard) Granera and husband Diego, and youngest son Nick Buchanan. He is also survived by many extended family that love him very much.

Tim was a hard worker that loved his family, country, and community. He thrived on challenges and was always working to make things the best that he could. He served in the Army National Guard for 12 years. He also worked for the York County Sheriff’s office for almost 19 years, most recently as a detective in cyber crimes.

The funeral service is private. It will be held Sunday, Sept. 11.