Stephen Lawrence Garfield

Stephen Lawrence Garfield, 72, passed away on November 13, 2016, at his home in Burney, California. He was born on May 27, 1944, in Los Angeles, California, to Robert and Marjorie (Schweitzer) Garfield.

Steve grew up in Torrance, California. He graduated from North High School in Torrance, California, in 1962. After high school, Steve joined the United States Air Force in September of 1962, and served for four years. He served one of his four years in the Vietnam War as an air policeman and dog handler. Steve received several medals and commendations for his service. He also completed Sentry Dog Handler Training and was assigned a German Shepherd named "Sheppy" during his time in Vietnam. Steve was honorably discharged in 1966, at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was an active member of the Vietnam Dog Handler Association (VDHA), and he was instrumental in the War Dog Memorial project located in Riverside, California. He was also honored when a photo of him and his dog were used in a Discovery Channel documentary, "War Dogs: America's Forgotten Heroes", in 2000.

Steve went on to graduate from the Police Academy and become a police officer for the Gardena Police Department where he worked for 12 years. During this time period he also attended college and earned an A.A. degree in Administration of Justice. Steve then moved on and became a Deputy Sheriff for the Shasta County Sheriff's Department. He retired in 1993 after 23 years as a law enforcement officer.

Steve married Carolyn (Borkowski) in 1968 in Redondo Beach, California. They were married for 48 years. Steve loved his family very much and his devotion to them will be forever remembered in their memories of him. Steve appreciated and enjoyed the great outdoors. His interests included camping, fishing, hunting, water sports, woodworking, and martial arts. He was also an avid golfer and he played the guitar.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marjorie, his brother, Alan, and his sister, Angela.

Steve is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his daughters and son-in-law, Tiffany Linville, and Martin and Holly Perrone; and his grandchildren, William Engle, Morgan Engle, Ashley Engle, Hailey Perrone, Alyssa Perrone, and Dillon Perrone.

A burial service with military honors will be held at the Burney Cemetery on Bailey Street in Burney, California, in December at a time and date to be determined.