Obituaries : Andrew W. Diamond; Deputy District Attorney

Andrew W. Diamond, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney in the Van Nuys office for 22 years, died Friday morning in his Canoga Park home of cancer. He was 47.

A Los Angeles native, Diamond was regarded by those who knew him as a congenial man with a unique sense of humor.

“Andy was a dedicated deputy district attorney who made the courtroom his stage and had the ability to help others develop their own self-confidence,” said Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Sandra Buttitta in a statement. She, like many of Diamond’s colleagues, described him as “irreverently funny.”

“No matter how bad your day was, you could always go to Andy and he’d give you a joke,” said long-time friend and fellow deputy D.A. Ron Smalstig.

Born Nov. 5, 1948, in Los Angeles, Diamond received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal State Northridge and a law degree from San Fernando Valley College of Law.

Diamond joined the D.A.’s office in January, 1974, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a lieutenant in the office’s bureau of investigations. During his career, Diamond worked in various divisions, including preliminary hearings, the downtown trial unit and the juvenile division in Eastlake. He also spent several years prosecuting hard core gang cases in the Van Nuys office, where he spent the bulk of his career.

When his illness forced him to retire in November, Diamond was a calendar deputy--the highest ranking line deputy--responsible for the disposition of all the cases that came through Van Nuys Superior Court, according to Phil Wynn, head deputy D.A. in the Van Nuys branch.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday presented his family with a proclamation on behalf of his career achievements. In 1995, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) cited Diamond as a victim’s advocate.

Diamond is survived by his son, David Diamond of Studio City; his parents, Jack and Dona Diamond of Arleta, and two brothers, Neil R. Diamond of Arleta and Steven M. Diamond of San Jose.

A funeral service will be held at noon Sunday at Eden Memorial Park, Eternal Light Chapel, Mission Hills, under the direction of Groman Mortuary.