John Duffy; San Diego County Sheriff Who Modernized Force

John Duffy, a blunt-talking and controversial figure during 20 often stormy years as San Diego County sheriff, has died at age 62 of a heart attack.

Duffy, who retired in 1990, was in El Salvador helping to establish that war-torn country’s first civilian police force when he was stricken Sunday.

During five terms as county sheriff, Duffy feuded with the press, budget-cutting politicians and civil libertarians. He also earned respect--from county prosecutors, his deputies and law enforcement officials nationwide.

“John was the kind of guy who always said his piece,” said Dist. Atty. Edwin L. Miller Jr., on learning of Duffy’s death. “That kind of candor is rare in public life. I had my share of disagreements with him over the years, but he was a leader, very protective of his troops, a good sheriff. I’ll miss him.”

In 1983 Duffy quit President Ronald Reagan’s Commission on Organized Crime because of allegations that he had a cozy relationship with a mob-linked owner of the La Costa Resort & Spa north of San Diego. Duffy vehemently denied the allegations but said he wanted to avoid further controversy.

He stirred more criticism by allowing his deputies to hang a politician in effigy, encouraging deputies to pass out literature seeking the ouster of California Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird, and refusing to lift a ban on hiring homosexuals until ordered to do so by the state attorney general.

At the same time, the Sheriff’s Department under Duffy greatly expanded the hiring and promotion of minorities and, for the first time, hired women. The Duffy-led department greatly upgraded training and equipment for deputies and raised hiring standards.

“He brought us into the modern age,” said Sheriff’s Cmdr. Bob De Steunder. “He was an innovative person, always looking for a better way to get the job done. The high esteem this department is held in nationwide is due entirely to John Duffy.”

On the other hand, Mike Aguirre, a former federal prosecutor who battled Duffy for years, once called him “the J. Edgar Hoover of San Diego law enforcement.” Aguirre, now in private practice, said Duffy had become a bully who misused his position and arrogantly violated the rights of others.

Duffy was born in Galveston, Tex., and his family moved to San Diego when he was 3 months old. He graduated from high school in San Diego, served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, and returned home to work as a gas station attendant.

In 1953 he joined the Sheriff’s Department and rose to the rank of captain. Elected sheriff in 1970 in a close race, he was reelected four times without significant opposition.

But in 1990, facing an election challenge from one of his captains and tired of answering questions from the media about supposed jail brutality and whether taxpayers paid for his home security system, Duffy declined to seek a sixth term.

“The power of the media in this country is awesome and is a threat to every American,” he said in announcing his decision.

In retirement, he continued the consulting business he had begun while in office. He kept a busy schedule despite chest pains in recent months. As sheriff, he had done consulting for the Department of Justice and State Department, which led to his contract with the government of El Salvador.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, sons John and Jim, daughters Debby Johnson and Diane McCoy, and 12 grandchildren. Jim Duffy is a deputy sheriff.

Funeral services are pending.