FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Former Fresno County Sheriff Steve Magarian was laid to rest on Monday, surrounded by friends, family and people he worked alongside for years.

“Sheriff Magarian was a great man, he had impeccable character and he cared about people, he cared about the sheriff’s office, he took care of his family,” said Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni. “And it was never about him; it was always about others.”

Steve Magarian passed away on Sept. 22 following a battle with cancer, and had served as the Fresno County Sheriff from 1986 to 1999, 13 years. During his time as sheriff, he initiated a vital resource the sheriff’s office uses to this day: the helicopter program.

Commonly known as the air support unit, Zanoni says in 1996 Magarian purchased two helicopters out of Mesa, Arizona, which would soon patrol the skies of Fresno County in 1997.

“At the time, when you looked around this area, no one had equipment like that— the California Highway Patrol did, but other counties and local agencies did not,” Zanoni said. “[It] truly was a visionary idea at the time.”

Zanoni credits that while Magarian has championed innovations like the automated field report writing system and the creation of MAGEC, his legacy was more than just innovation; it was his connection to the community he served.

“He remembered your name, he talked to people, he smiled, he knew who you were and he showed that he cared about you…” he said. “The people are what’s important and that’s one thing I’ll always remember from Sheriff Magarian.”

Zanoni says the turnout to Magarian’s funeral service is a testament to that.

“When you see everybody out here today, this many people, at this celebration of life, it really shows how much people loved and respected the man, Steve Magarian, the 23rd sheriff of Fresno County— it really brings it all home.”