Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remembers legacy of retired lieutenant

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard attended the memorial service for retired Lt. John Crisan on Monday.

Crisan became a Sheriff’s deputy in 1961 and served until his retirement in 1996. The Sheriff’s Office said Crisan mainly patrolled the Big Sur area and was part of the department’s first rescue squad. He helped found the search and rescue team, and he designed the patch used on the team’s uniforms.

Crisan was the first deputy to patrol the Big Sur area, and the Sheriff’s Office said locals called him Sheriff John. In addition to being the first to patrol Big Sur, Crisan was the first deputy with a bachelor’s degree, and he used his knowledge to train and mentor new deputies. He spoke Romanian and German; English was his third language. He could also hold a conversation in Spanish.

He is remembered for throwing great parties, and the Sheriff’s Office said he loved going to the sheriff’s picnics where his deputies had a country band.

The Sheriff’s Office said, “Lt. Crisan always treated people with respect and reminded people that ‘everyone has a story and something they are passionate about.'”

Deputies said it was their pleasure to celebrate and remember Crisan’s life with his family and friends.