Obituaries

Thousands Turn Out To Say Goodbye To Warren Rupf

Retired Contra Costa County Sheriff died of cancer Aug. 9. Thanks to Craig Cannon for the photograph.

by Bay City News

Several hundred law enforcement officers from throughout the BayΒ Area were among thousands of people who turned out this morning to honorΒ former Contra Costa County Sheriff Warren Rupf at a memorial service inΒ Pleasant Hill.

Rupf, 69, died Aug. 9 after a battle with leukemia. His death cameΒ more than a year after his retirement as sheriff, a position he had held forΒ 18 years.

Roughly 2,000 people packed into the Christ the King Church onΒ Brandon Road for the 10 a.m. memorial. Friends, family members and formerΒ colleagues watched as Rupf's casket, draped with an American flag, wasΒ carried toward the alter.

Retired undersheriff Ron Jarrell was among those who spoke at the service.

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"His value, his energy and his wisdom in addressing statewide lawΒ enforcement issues drew him instant credibility from his peers. He was aΒ 'sheriff' in capital letters," Jarrell said.

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