Charles Dallas Graves

Longtime resident and local law enforcement icon Charles Graves passed away peacefully August 28, 2018 of natural causes, surrounded by family. Chuck was well known in both local and far reaching law enforcement communities for his 48 years in law enforcement and his outstanding tireless work in narcotics, intelligence and security. With 30 years in the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department, Chuck worked on numerous investigations involving the FBI, Secret Service, ATF, Homeland Security, US Customs and both California and US Departments of Justice. Chuck was born on June 6, 1930 in the San Joaquin Valley. He entered the Navy at 16 and after 3 years there, he transferred to the US Air Force, where he served for 20 years before retiring as a Sergeant in CID, in 1967. Chuck began his career with the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Department in 1968, after retiring from the military and marrying Margaret (Mickey) Moore, then a paralegal to Judge Barry Hammer and later Superior Court Secretary to the late Judge Harry Woolpert. When Chuck and Mickey married, each had three small children, for a total of 6 children under the age of 10, at the start of their marriage and with both parents working full time. The fact they managed that endeavor so successfully must be a testament to Chuck's military training and Mickey's tenacity. Working long hours in the field, Charles was instrumental in resolving some of the biggest investigations in San Luis Obispo County, including drugs, smuggling and intelligence matters. Chuck was the recipient of numerous awards for his expertise and service from various agencies, including the FBI, LAPD, Secret Service, DOJ, SLO District Attorney's office and others. Chuck is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mickey, children, Charlene (Michael), Brian (Lori), Mike and three stepsons, Tim, Steve (Floyd) and Mike (Susan), numerous beloved grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He is also remembered as a great friend and coworker by many, both in and out of the law enforcement community. Chuck is remembered as a decent, kind, efficient and non- nonsense law enforcement officer who could be trusted with any information and whose favorite comment, always with a smile, was "it's on a need to know basis." Chuck had a wonderful sense of humor and was the most loyal of friends, even when you made fun of his golf game. He will be sorely missed by many. A memorial service will be held at Reis Family Mortuary in San Luis Obispo on Friday, September 14, 2018 at 11am. A celebration of life will follow at the Madonna Inn at 1:00pm. Memorial contributions made to the Woods Animal Services or a charity of your choice would be thoughtful gifts to the family.

Charles Dallas Graves

June 9, 1930 - August 28, 2018