Deputy David G. Graves joined the Fresno Co. Sheriff’s Department in 1979, having served as a volunteer in the Search and Rescue Unit for some two years prior to becoming a deputy. Assigned to the Patrol Division, he was a dedicated officer who served this community and loved his profession. On November 5, 1982, while on patrol in the northwest area of the metropolitan district, his patrol vehicle was struck broadside (left side) by another vehicle, drivin by a three-time convicted drunk driver, who had failed to heed the stop sign. A passenger in the other vehicle was also killed. The driver was charged with two counts of 2nd degree murder in addition to felony drunk driving.

Graves was a Christian man who was a third generation member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Fresno, serving as an elder and following in the steps of his father and grandfather.

His wife, Karen, whom he married in 1972, survives him. They were engaged on Thanksgiving Day 11 years ago, having met at their church in 1965. He and Karen have two little girls; Kelly is 7 and Christy is 4. His parents are the late Joanne Dahlberg Graves and Gordon Graves, and he is also survived by his stepmother, sisters Mary Jo Pratt, Carol Elder and Ruth Kraushaar; and brother, Stephen Graves, and step-brothers, Eric and Harold Onsum.