Former San Juan County Sheriff Ray Sheffer died at his home, Wednesday, Feb. 22, following an extended illness.

He was 87.

Sheffer served as the county’s top law enforcement official for eight years, 1978 to 1986, after his predecessor, Don Brown, retired because of medical reasons. Initially appointed to the position, Sheffer ran for sheriff and was elected to the office for a second four-year term.

He was a man of adventure and of achievement, according to his wife, Diana. They were married for 45 years.

“He lived life to its absolute fullest,” she said. “He was the youngest 87 you’ll ever know.”

A World War II veteran and former chief of police in Las Vegas, Nev., Sheffer was a well-seasoned law enforcement professional when he and Diana moved to San Juan Island in the mid-1970s. He rose quickly through the ranks, starting as a dispatcher, and was promoted to deputy, undersheriff and then appointed to the position sheriff in 1978.

Before relocating to San Juan Island, Sheffer also ran his own private investigation agency in Las Vegas, served as chauffeur for the governor of Nevada and worked at one time as an executive for the enigmatic Howard Hughes.

During his tenure as sheriff, Sheffer led the investigation of murder of Lopez resident Rolf Neslund, perhaps San Juan County’s most famous murder case, which led to the conviction of Neslund’s wife, Ruth, for the crime. Ruth Neslund was convicted of murder even though her husband’s body was never found.

A memorial service is March 17, 1 p.m., at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.