Ralph Avalos Diaz

NAME: Ralph Avalos Diaz AGE: 66 RESIDENT OF: Visalia DATE OF DEATH: 11-05-2015 OCCUPATION: Peace Officer PLACE OF DEATH: Visalia Start story here Ralph Avalos Diaz was born May 16, 1949, in Exeter, California to Gabriela and Antonio Diaz. He grew up in Redbanks until the age of 13, when his family moved to Woodlake. He graduated from Woodlake High School in 1967. Ralph was drafted, to the US Army during the Vietnam War, in 1969, and served his Country honorably. Ralph’s bravery during the Vietnam War earned him the Bronze Star Medal, awarded for heroic or meritorious service. He was a member of the 1st Battalion 506th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles”. He was a Radio Teletype Operator, during Vietnam, which entailed calling-in Air Strikes and additional support while also fighting alongside infantrymen. He was honorably discharged from the US Army, as an E4, in 1971. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Woodlake and attended College of the Sequoias earning his AA Degree. He became a Police Officer, with the Woodlake Police Department, in 1974 and stayed until 1977, earning the rank of Sergeant. In 1977, he joined the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and stayed until 1996, again attaining the rank of Sergeant. While at the Sheriff’s Office, he was assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit and began to form his well-known reputation as a Homicide Detective. He was best known for devoting every ounce of effort into each investigation and doing so in his charismatic personality. In 1996 he joined the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and retired in 2004, earning the rank of Assistant Chief. He was a great investigator, mentor, teacher, and loyal friend. After a short retirement in 2004, Ralph returned to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as a Homicide Detective assigned to the Cold Case Unit until 2014. He has been responsible for investigating and sending several murders to Death Row. He traveled extensively in Mexico, and all over the United States, investigating numerous homicides. He joined multiple organizations. He and Bob Wiley were the first officers to join the National Latino Peace Officers Assoc. (NLPOA). He was one of the founders of the Latino Peace Officers Association (LPOA) in Tulare County. He was presented the 1998 Lifetime Supporting Members by the NLPOA by, then Texas Governor, George Bush. He was president of the Central Valley Gang Task Force. He was president of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Association. He was a lifetime member of the AMVETS and the Central Valley Vietnam Veterans Club. Ralph passed away on November 5, 2015, at home, with his family by his side. Ralph is survived by his wife Mirtha Diaz, son Ralph Diaz Jr., wife Maria Diaz, daughter Delilah Martinez, husband Manuel Martinez, and son Andrew Diaz. Grandchildren: Audriana, Vincent, Manny Jr., and Leah, and great-grandchildren: Gabriela and Isabela. Brothers: Art, Lupe, Manuel, Simon Diaz, and sister Francis Torres. Numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents: Gabriela and Antonio Diaz, sisters: Carmen Alva, Mary Helen Florez, Mary Garcia, Connie Diaz, and brothers: Joe Diaz and Antonio (Tony) Diaz Jr. Visitation will be held at 4 PM until 8 PM on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. A rosary will be prayed at 6 PM on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 9 AM on Friday, November 13, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia. Burial will be at Woodlake District Cemetery. SURVIVED BY; PRECEDED IN DEATH BY;

Ralph Avalos Diaz

May 16, 1949 - November 5, 2015