Thomas P. Belden, 70, 0f U.S. Rt. 11 Watertown, passed away after battling cancer on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at 7:30 P.M. at Samaritan Medical Center. Thomas was born on September 28, 1939 in Watertown, son of Anthony and the late Adele Peck Belden. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1957. He entered the United States Marine Corp January 1958 and was honorably discharged January 1962 at Quantico, VA. Mr. Belden was employed by New York State Assemblyman Orrin Wilcox in Albany, after completing his four years of duty with the U.S. Marine Corp. In 1965 he was employed by WWNY Radio Station. On July 10, 1967, he was hired by the late Sherriff Robert Chaufty as a Deputy Sherriff with the Jefferson County Sherriff's Dept. He was honored in 1977 with the Gold Star Award for heroism in rescuing a woman and three children in 1976 from a burning house in Watertown Center. On January 25, 1988, he was promoted to Detective by the late Sherriff Donald F. Newberry. Mr. Belden retired on disability from the Sherriff's Department on July 4, 1992, after completing 25 years of service. He was a member of Smith-Savage American Legion Post 583, Dexter; Fraternal Order of Eagles, Watertown; and the U.S. Marine Corps League, Watertown. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheeling, sports, and computer while his health permitted. He married Patricia Perrault in 1961. The marriage ended in divorce in 1975. A second marriage to Shirley Hammond in April 1975 ended in divorce in 1978. He married Sandra M. Frasher Altmire on September 19, 1981 in Dexter, with Judge David Bonney officiating. Surviving besides his wife, Sandra, are a son David of Cape Vincent, a daughter Penny Collette and her husband Dan of Dexter; two stepdaughters, Laurie Bantel and her husband Richard of Syracuse; Amy Clark and husband Duane of Pulaski; a stepson Jeffrey Altmire and his wife Jill of Apalachin; his father Anthony of Florida; two brothers Gerald of Cortland and Patrick of Florida; four grandchildren, seven step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Carol Gessler and his mother. Funeral services will be Monday 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church of Brownville with Fr. Kevin O'Brien officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery with military honors. Calling hours will be Sunday, July 25, 2010, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter.