Former Fresno County Sheriff Richard Pierce passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said Pierce passed peacefully with his family at his side.
In memoriam: Pierce served in the Sheriff’s Office for decades, starting as a deputy in 1966.
- He worked his way up through the ranks for the next 30 years and was elected as Fresno County’s 24th Sheriff in 1998.
- Pierce served two terms as sheriff from 1999-2007 before retiring after 40 years in law enforcement.
- He was born in Madera on March 27, 1944, and raised in Avenal. After graduating from Avenal High School, Pierce attended San Diego State before returning to the Central Valley to work in law enforcement.
- He is survived by his wife, five children and several grandchildren.
