Services will be held Sunday, Dec. 26 for Ray East, a candidate for Churchill County sheriff in 2018. East died Dec. 19 after a short illness. (Photo: LVN, file)
Ray East, a candidate for Churchill County Sheriff in 2010 and 2018, died peacefully after a short illness on Dec. 19 with his family by his side.
East’s funeral service will be conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at The Gardens Funeral Home. He is survived by his wife, Dawn; his parents; his sister, Dena Steuer; his children, Jessica Maley, Justin Speed, Cassidy East and Trevor East; and four grandchildren.
East was also a Gold Star father. His son, Michael J. Allen East, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, died in late October 2010 in an automobile accident near Fresno, Calif., after returning from an overseas deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was home on convalescent leave after being wounded in Afghanistan.
A native of Sanger, Calif., the 51-year-old East had an extensive law enforcement career in Nevada, most recently serving as an officer with the Walker River Tribal Police. Prior to Walker River, he was employed by the Nevada Department of Corrections.
East, who emerged out of a crowded 2018 primary election, lost by fewer than 1,000 votes to the eventual winner, Richard Hickox, in the general election.
During a law enforcement career that stretched almost 30 years, East served as a policeman, field training officer and chief of police for a number of agencies. At one time, he was also the chief of police for the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe.
According to his background information, which was provided prior to the 2018 election, East said he was also an international police adviser as part of the Iraq mission (Department of Justice/Department of Defense Mission) and was a senior police adviser; Transition in Police Services instructor; and director of Operations (Baghdad Police College).
When he sought the Churchill County sheriff’s position, East said he could provide insightful leadership.
“My goal is to keep our community safe for our children, protect our seniors, and be tough on crime. I will be responsive and focused on service to the community.”
East said he was a proven leader in law enforcement.
Stuart Richardson, former chairman of the Churchill County Republican Committee, said after the 2018 race Fallon was lucky to have two good candidates vying for the office.
East had also run for sheriff in 2010 in a race that eventually saw Ben Trotter defeat the incumbent sheriff in the general election.
East moved to Nevada in 1988 to attend the University of Nevada, Reno on a track scholarship. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from UNR and held POST (Peace Officer Standard Training) certificates from basic to executive. He also completed the Certified Managers Program offered by the State of Nevada Executive Development.
The family asks for donations to be sent to the Fallon High Desert Detachment Marine Corps League Toys for Tots. Direct donation questions to Junior at Owempner5@gmail.com or Chris at Riflerangegod@gmail.com or donate to TAPS.org.
