Sheriff Larry Dever died in a one vehicle accident near the town of Williams on Tuesday September 18, 2012 at approximately 7:00 p.m., according to a report by Paul Birmingham of KNST FM 97.1. He was 60.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the investigation.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office released a statement today, “It is with deep sadness and regret that the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office must advise the following: The Dever family is aware that many will want to make contact with the family to express their condolences, however, they request that no calls be made to them at their personal residence. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office will relay all messages to the family directly. God bless the Dever family.”
Congressman Jeff Flake released a statement summing up what many Arizonans feel; “Today Arizonans mourn the unexpected loss of Sheriff Larry Dever. Larry was a true leader among lawmen — committed to the law, his community, and his state. We are grateful for Larry’s quiet, effective leadership on border security and his desire to protect the residents of Cochise County and southern Arizona. Cheryl and I will miss his friendship. We offer our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Larry’s wife Nancy and the entire Dever family.”
Dever gained popularity across the state for his quiet non nonsense approach.
Sheriff Dever was a 34-year Cochise County law enforcement veteran. He was elected to his first term as Sheriff in 1996, following a distinguished 20-year career working in the trenches of Cochise County law enforcement. Entering the profession as a deputy in 1976, Sheriff Dever rose through the ranks from sergeant to major before successfully seeking political office and being re-elected to a forth term in the year 2008.
As Sheriff, his administration had been particularly challenged by a tremendous influx of illegal immigration and associated casualties in the area. He has testified before Congress on several separate occasions regarding these issues and had assumed a forward leadership role in attempting to bring resolution to related local concerns. He served on the National Sheriff Association’s Board of Directors and was elected because of his strong leadership role in Border Law Enforcement Issues.
Filmmaker Dennis Lynch, who featured Dever in his documentary “They Come to America,” told radio host Garrett Lewis of KNST 97.1 FM that he felt like he “lost someone he had known his entire life.” Lynch described Dever as having a hand shake “that grips you like a rock. He made me feel like I was his friend forever.” Lynch described a portion in his documentary in which Dever reacts to head of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano say that the border is secure; Dever responded, “We will tell you when the border is secure.” Lynch said that across the country people would applaud widely when Dever’s response to Napolitano was played.
Lynch reported to Lewis, that Dever was a “friend to the ranchers. The Sheriffs down where you guys are, they are like part of the family. Lynch said that while he rarely uses the word, but Dever was a “hero.”
Sheriff Dever is survived by his wife, Nancy, a retired Special Educational Administrator and Educational Consultant, and six sons. The oldest serves as a Major in the US Army, three work for AZ law enforcement agencies, one as a Firefighter, and one attending college.
Arizona Speaker of the House Andy Tobin reacted to the news of the tragic death of Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever. Speaker Tobin had been looking forward to meeting with Sheriff Dever during a planned Border Sheriff’s Conference that will be held at the State Capitol on Monday, October 1st.
Expressing his condolences to the Sheriff’s family and to the people of Cochise County, Speaker Tobin stated, “My heart and prayers go out to the Dever family as they mourn the loss of a great husband, father and grandfather. The Sheriff’s 34 years of exemplary law enforcement service were evidence of an unflinching dedication to the safety and security of the people of Cochise County and Arizona. He will be sorely missed.”
“Sheriff Dever was a man of integrity, strength and exemplified true leadership” said Carolyn Cox, Chairman of the Pima County Republican Party. “The Pima GOP would like to expresss our condolences to Sheriff Dever’s family, friends, colleagues and the great people of Cochise County and offer our heartfelt thoughts and prayers on this sad occassion.”
Sheriff Dever was a native Cochise County resident, born and raised in the town of St. David.