Longtime Madera County Sheriff’s Office employee dies

Diana Rankin, the longest-serving employee in the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, died unexpectedly at her home on Sept. 8, the sheriff’s office said. She was 70.

Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Ward said Rankin first started with the office in February 1975. She worked as a jail matron and a dispatcher before serving 15 years as a records clerk for the mountain region.

“Diana’s calm demeanor, sharp mind and institutional knowledge of CLETS (California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System) and the Sheriff’s Office in general, will be missed,” Sheriff Jay Varney said.

Ward said Rankin had not been ill before her death, but he did not know exactly how she died.

A celebration for Rankin will be held at the Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park at 49777 High School Road in Oakhurst from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 26, Ward said. There will be a potluck meal and an opportunity for people share their memories of Rankin, he added.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Longtime Madera County Sheriff’s Office employee dies."