Hundreds attend memorial service for Ariz. sheriff

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel and members of the general public attended a memorial service in Sierra Vista for longtime Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever.

"He was a remarkable man and a great sheriff, I'm blessed to have had him as a friend," said Texas' Rockwell County Sheriff Harold Evaston.

"Larry had a knack for getting people to work together on border security. He had his views on what would work the best but he listened to all opinions and worked with every one to enforce the law he was trusted and respected by all," said Sen. Jon Kyl.

"He lived his life to the fullest and he touched so many people. Larry was remarkable in many ways," said Sheriff Aaron Kinard, National Sheriff's Association.

"So to the Dever family, sheriff's department and community and for all those blessed for knowing Larry, we will suffer through his together we will make it for those of us fortunate to be around his family, never forget his legacy," said Sierra Vista Fire Department Chief Randy Redwing.

The 60-year-old Dever died Sept. 18 in a rollover accident south of Williams as he was driving to a family hunting trip in northern Arizona.

Law-enforcement vehicles, fire trucks and residents on Wednesday lined a 30-mile funeral procession along highway 90 in honor of Dever.

Dever was first elected sheriff in 1996 and had been running for a fifth term in November.

He was one of Arizona's four border sheriffs who asked to legally defend the state's controversial anti-illegal immigration law in federal court.

Dever grew up in the town of St. David. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, six sons and 11 grandchildren.

Public memorial service

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Buena High School
5225 East Buena School Boulevard
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Follow this story: Cochise County sheriff dies in crash near Williams

The Associated Press contributed to this story.