Obituaries

Obituaries for 11 staff, retirees

Obituaries for CDCR staff, retirees who recently passed

CDCR obituaries for June 2019 include the following: Sutfin, Loftis, Jackson, Ballard, Bales, Elizalde, Pazjk, Reyes, Chaffee, Canales and Fain.

Richard Sutfin, retired Correctional Officer

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Richard Sutfin

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center reported the passing of retired Correctional Officer Richard Sutfin on June 7, 2019.

He began his CDCR career in April 1990 at the Basic Correctional Officer Academy.

After graduation, he reported to Wasco State Prison-Reception Center where he remained until his retirement in December 2016. 

Beverley Loftis, retired Correctional Officer

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Beverly Loftis

Wasco State Prison-Reception Center reported the passing of retired Correctional Officer Beverly Loftis on June 10, 2019.

She began her CDCR career ion February 1996 at the Basic Correctional Officer Academy.

After she graduated, she reported to Wasco State Prison-Reception Center where she worked as an officer for several years until her retirement in March 2014

Ellen Jackson, retired Senior Personnel Specialist

The California Correctional Institution reported the passing on June 13, 2019, of retired Senior Personnel Specialist Ellen Jackson.

She began her CDCR career as an Office Assistant in February 1990. She reported in June 1992 to the California Correctional Institution as an Account Clerk II.

She moved through the ranks of Office Technician, Management Services Technician and Personnel Specialist. She retired in November 2013. 

Roger Ballard, retired Correctional Supervising Cook

High Desert State Prison reported on May 31, 2019, the passing of retired Correctional Supervising Cook Roger Ballard.

He joined High Desert in May 2004. He retired in April 2018.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Bales, retired Correctional Counselor II

California Rehabilitation Center reported on June 16, 2019, the passing of retired Correctional Counselor II Robert “Bobby” Bales.

He started his CDCR career at the California Rehabilitation Center in April 1980 as an intermittent officer. He became permanent full-time in August 1980.

He promoted to sergeant limited-term July 1987. He transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in July 1987 for a permanent position.

In January 1989, he returned to the California Rehabilitation Center as a permanent sergeant.  In December 1994, he lateraled into a Correctional Counselor I position.

He promoted to Correctional Counselor II I Supervisor in June 1998. He retired in August 2009. 

James Elizalde, retired Correctional Officer

Pleasant Valley State reported on June 24, 2019, the passing of retired Correctional Officer James Elizalde.

He began his CDCR career when he reported to Basic Correctional Officer Academy in September 1994.

He reported to Pleasant Valley State Prison in October 1994. He retired in November 2017.

Georgette A. Pazjk, Correctional Case Records Analyst

California Institution for Women reported on June 24, 2019 the passing of Correctional Case Records Analyst Georgette A. Pazjk.

She started her CDCR career in November 2004 at the California Institution for Women (CIW) family as an Office Services Supervisor I.

She promoted to an Office Technician, Case Records Technician and a Correctional Case Records Analyst.

Michael Reyes, retired Correctional Officer

The Central California Women’s Facility reported on June 25, 2019, the passing of retired Correctional Officer Michael Reyes.

He started his CDCR career with the Sierra Conservation Center in October 1987 as a Correctional Officer.

In October 1990, he transferred to the Central California Women’s Facility. He retired in April 2009.

Kenneth Chaffee, Doctor of Dental Surgery

The California Correctional Institution (CCI) reported on June 26, 2019 the passing of Doctor of Dental Surgery Kenneth Chaffee.

He began his CDCR at CCI in July 2007.

Nicholas Canales, retired Materials and Stores Supervisor

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Nicholas Canales

Ironwood State Prison reported the passing of retired Materials and Stores Supervisor Nicholas Canales in June 2019.

He began his CDCR career in June 2005 at Ironwood, where he worked as a Materials and Stores Supervisor I until his retirement in June 2013.

Darin Fain, retired Correctional Officer

The California Correctional Center reported the passing of retired Correctional Officer Darin Fain on June 24, 2019.

He began his CDCR career in June 1993 at the Richard McGee Training Facility and started as a Correctional Officer at California Correctional Center.

He left the Institution for the Devils Garden Conservation Camp Number 40 in December 1993.

He retired in April 2016.


Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.

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