Former Fresno County Sheriff Steve Magarian passed away on Monday at the age of 82.

Magarian served as the Fresno County Sheriff from 1987 to 1999, capping off a career in law enforcement that started in 1966, when he was hired as a reserve deputy sheriff.

In 1998, Magarian was hired as a regular deputy and worked in the jail, courts and on patrol.

Early in his career, Magarian earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Fresno State.

Magarian rose through the ranks at the Sheriff’s Office, making it to Assistant Sheriff before he was elected as Sheriff in 1986 to succeed Harold McKinney.

Voters went on to reelect Magarian in 1990 and 1994. He declined to seek a fourth term in office.

During Magarian’s tenure as sheriff, Fresno County completed the new main jail at Fresno and M stre

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