Former Sheriffs
Appointed: 1999-2007
Richard Pierce was born in Madera on March 27, 1944, and was raised in the Kings County community of Avenal.
His father was an oil fields worker and also served two terms as the Avenal Constable. He graduated from Avenal High School and attended San Diego State College. He was hired as a deputy sheriff on Dec. 1, 1966, and early in his career worked in the courthouse as a bailiff, in the jail and on patrol.
Appointed: 1987-1999
Steve Magarian was born in Fresno on Oct. 13, 1942. His father was in the grocery business and also farmed. He attended local schools and graduated from Roosevelt High.
His law enforcement career began in 1966, as a reserve deputy sheriff. In 1968, he was hired as a regular deputy, working in the jail, courts and patrol early in his career. While working at the department, he earned a bachelor's and master's degree from CSU-Fresno.
Appointed: 1975-1987
Hal McKinney was born in Fresno on Aug. 13, 1923, the son of a city fire captain. He attended local schools, graduating from Fresno Technical High School in the watershed year of 1941. That fall, prior to war breaking out, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served two-and-a-half years in Europe during the war.
After his discharge, he returned to Fresno and worked several years for Peerless Pumps. In June 1950, he was hired by the sheriff's office, serving as a bailiff. As a reservist, he was called back to the army in September 1950, for service during the Korean conflict.
Appointed: 1975
Guy Langley was born in Fowler, Calif. on July 8, 1939, the son of a painting contractor. He was educated locally, and graduated from Caruthers High School. He served as a military policeman from 1957-60 in the U.S. Army.
He was hired as a sheriff's deputy in 1962, and worked in the courts, jail, and on patrol. In 1970, he was promoted to sergeant, working in patrol and detectives for the next few years. In early 1974, he resigned from the department to challenge the twenty-year incumbent sheriff, Melvin Willmirth, on a platform calling for increased narcotics enforcement.
Appointed: 1955-1975
Mel Willmirth was born in Coalinga on June 3, 1914, the son of an oil fields mechanic. He was raised there and educated locally.
He left high school before graduation to work in the oil fields. In the late 1930's he was hired as a police officer by the City of Coalinga. In 1942, he was appointed Superintendent of the Fresno County Industrial Road Camp, located in the Coalinga area.
