Former Fresno County District Attorney Edward Woodrow Hunt passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012, after a brief and courageous fight. Ed was born on June 27, 1942, to parents, Ed and Ethel Hunt in Huntsville, Alabama. He enlisted in the U.S.
Air Force in 1961, where he first served in Texas. Later he relocated to Castle Air Force Base in California and then was sent to Travis Air Force Base. Upon his discharge, Ed moved to Monterey, California, where he attended Monterey Peninsula College.
He completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Fresno State University. Ed earned his law degree from San
Joaquin College of Law while working full time for Fresno County as an assessor in the real property division. Ed was admitted to the California Bar in 1974.
Ed began his legal career in 1975 with the Fresno County District Attorney's office and worked as a Deputy until January 1979. After a brief stint in private practice with the Law Firm of Hunt, Gash, Hinckley, Suhr, Putnam and Morris, he returned to the District Attorney's Office in 1980. During this time Ed was instrumental in forming the Narcotics Task Force and developed strong and lasting relationships with all law enforcement agencies.
In 1982, Ed ran for and was elected Fresno County District Attorney. Ed served as Fresno County's Chief Law Enforcement Officer for 5 terms totaling 20 years; the longest any District Attorney has held that office in Fresno County. During his tenure as District Attorney, Ed was instrumental in reducing the high crime rates then plaguing Fresno County. With his down-home folksy
personality, he directed a war on crime. His office sent 13 people to death row. Ed recognized the need to retain career prosecutors to address the more sophisticated criminals and violent crimes. As the chief law enforcement leader of Fresno County, he established specialty prosecution teams, most notably, what would become a nationally recognized gang unit, the Multi Agency Gang
Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), Career Criminal and Narcotics Teams. Ed increased the number of investigators in his office, recognizing that no complex prosecution could succeed without a top flight investigative staff working shoulder to shoulder with his prosecutors. Ed established a ride-along program for Deputy District Attorneys so they could experience the real life challenges and
dangers encountered by the patrol officers who became more than names on police reports submitted for prosecution.
Mr. Hunt will be remembered by the many career prosecutors and judges for his dedication to and instilling in them an undying commitment to public service.
In retirement, Ed handled cases as a defense attorney, many in federal court. Ed was an avid pilot and flew with his wife Linda on several trips across country in his M-35 Bonanza.
Ed is survived by Linda, his loving wife of 32 years; his daughter Tami of Pacific Grove; and his step-son Steve Sirman of Fresno. He is also survived by his loving dogs, Boomer and Gunner.
A Funeral Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 1540 'M' St., Fresno on Monday, April 30, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to HOPE Animal Foundation, 5490 W. Spruce Ave., Fresno Ca. 93722; Animal Rescue of Fresno (ARF), 4545 E. Dakota Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93726; Valley Animal Center, 3934 N. Hayston Ave., Fresno Ca. 93726; or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Ks. 66675
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