A memorial service was held for Deputy Ralph Peifer, 49, Oct. 28 in Petaluma. Deputy Peifer, who spent 20 years in the Marin Sheriff's Department, was admired in the San Geronimo Valley for his integrity and honor.
His death occurred Oct. 21 when Mr. Peifer and his wife Vickie were riding near their home in Sebastopol and something spooked his horse. In being thrown to the ground, he sustained massive injuries to his brain and fell into a coma. He died five days later.
Deputy Peifer had patrolled the San Geronimo Valley three days a week for the past nine years. "He loved working in the Valley," said one of his longtime partners, Deputy Manny Galindo. "He had a lot of friends out there."
After his shift was over, he would often visit friends at the garage or saloon in downtown Forest Knolls, the Flanders' ranch in Woodacre, or Roseanne Urban's house in Lagunitas.
Rancher George Flanders said, "Whatever Ralph did, on or off duty, was done professionally. He was a talented person as well. He could look at a rose in bloom and tell you what kind of rose it was, or he could overhaul an engine completely and have it running."
Flanders' wife Anita added: "He had pride in his work, and pride in his home life."
Deputy Peifer was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 6, l946.
Because his father was in the Navy, he grew up all over the United States with his two sisters and brother.
He went to high school in Hawaii, where he enjoyed water skiing and riding his motor cycle. He graduated from Vacaville High in 1964.
Two years later, Mr. Peifer became a correctional officer at San Quentin Prison, where he worked five years. In 1975, he became a County sheriff's deputy.
Deputy Peifer was well known for his compassion. He issued a lot of friendly warnings instead of making immediate arrests.
"He had a strong sense of justice," said Deputy Galindo. "We often spoke of how the justice system didn't always serve the victims of crime."
"He wasn't gung-ho about hauling people off to jail. He gave everyone a fair chance." said Mrs. Flanders.
"He was my ultimate hero. He never compromised his morals to fit into somebody else's mold. In this day and age, when we have people like Mark Furhman and the people that beat Rodney King, my kids idolize the police because of Ralph," she added.
"They really thought that Ralph was cool, which is a great compliment from kids who usually reserve that word for basketball stars," said Urban.
Deputy Peifer is survived by his wife, Vickie Jarvinen Peifer; his son, Sean Smith, of Sebastopol; two daughters, Leah and Diana of Florida; two brothers, Lynn Moss and Christ Peifer, both of Vacaville; and a sister.
A trust fund has been set up to support his family. Those wishing to contribute can send donations to the Ralph W. Peifer Trust Fund, Marin County Deputy Sheriff's Association, 3501 Civic Center Dr., San Rafael, 94903