Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, California
End of Watch Thursday, October 23, 1980
Add to My HeroesBliss Steven Magly
Deputy Sheriff Bliss Magly and Deputy Sheriff Brent Jameson were killed when their Sheriff’s Department helicopter crashed and burned in heavy fog approximately one-half mile south of the Sonoma County Airport between River Road and Laughlin Road.
Deputy Magly and Deputy Jameson were at home when they were called to help search for a shooting suspect in the area of Ludwig Avenue east of Llano Road between Sebasopol and Santa Rosa. Deputy Jameson was the pilot, and Deputy Magly was the helicopter observer, and they were returning to the airport at 8:50 p.m.
Deputy Magly had served with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents.
To honor the deputies, scholarships were opened in their names at Santa Rosa Junior College to assist deserving criminal justice students. The annual Sheriff’s Department awards banquet was started as a result of this tragedy as a way to recognize the outstanding work of Sheriff’s Department employees properly. The first banquet was dedicated to Deputies Jameson and Magly, who were posthumously awarded Gold Medals of Valor.
He is buried at Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsDeputy Bliss Magly was my best friend, shiftmate on swingshift patrol and next door neighbor. We hung out every day. He was the brother I never had. One of the hardest duties I ever performed during my 31 year law enforcement career was making the death notification of Bliss’s death to his wife that night. I still miss my friend these 44+ years later. Rest in Peace always dear friend.
Captain Mike Brown
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (CA)
November 15, 2024
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