As many in the region and the law enforcement community know, Knox County Sheriff Chris Mendoza had been battling cancer for some years. After entering hospice care a fortnight ago, he passed away at 11:52 p.m. June 23, according to County Judge Don Thompson. Mendoza was “an excellent sheriff and a good citizen of the county, and well respected,” saidThompson.DeputyRyan Thrash will be in charge of…