Steven Craig Petersen

July 14, 1949 to April 28, 2013

Steven Craig Petersen, 63, passed away April 28, 2013, with his family at his side at his home in Long Beach, California.

Born in Long Beach on July 14, 1949, Steve was the “miracle baby” his parents Donald and Dorothy Petersen thought they could never have. He grew up in Lakewood Village loving baseball, football, the beach, Rock-and-Roll music, and American muscle cars.

After graduating from Lakewood High School in 1967, Steve joined the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. His code of discipline, sense of patriotism, and pride in being a Marine remained with him all his life.

Steve became a Deputy Sheriff for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1970. His many assignments included Central Jail, Hall of Justice Jail, Civic Center Security, Lennox and Carson Stations, Special Enforcement Bureau, Reserve Forces, and Catalina Island. The assignment that captured his heart and soul was the Sheriff’s Emergency Services Detail (ESD), where he served for 17 years with the finest group of partners and friends a humble man could ask for. He retired from the Department in 2004 and, at the time of his passing, was enjoying a well-deserved retirement at his home in Long Beach.

Pete, as he was known to family and friends, was famous for his quick wit, wonderful sense of humor, amazing memory for Rock-and-Roll music, and extreme compassion and kindness toward everyone he knew. He loved animals, the beaches of Kauai, running (even Baker-to-Vegas), anything baseball, and restoring his beloved 1964 Little Red Corvette.

Steve is survived by his wife Connie, his sons Don, Scott and Matthew, his daughter Jillian, his grandbabies Katie, Liam, Nora, and Dylan, and his brother Jim. Numerous other family members, friends, partners, and colleagues will miss their Stevie Pete.

Funeral services will be held for Steve on Monday, May 20, 2013, at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church in Long Beach, CA, at 10:30 a.m.