Undersheriff Blake retires from law enforcement

"The last of the Latorracans."

That may sound like the title of a Louis L'Amour novel, or western movie about the sunset of an ancient tribe. In reality, it's how now-retired Undersheriff Bill Blake describes himself.

Like L'Amour, the 59-year-old Blake's never short of a good rough-and-tumble yarn, and he certainly shines among the last of a legendary breed.

Blake, who retired Friday after 38 years, was the sheriff's department's last employee hired as a deputy under late Sheriff John Latorraca. Latorraca, who served as sheriff from 1957 to 1973, is remembered as a no-nonsense World War II vet and law enforcement powerhouse who remains one of the county's best known lawmen.

This week, Blake packed away his office belongings, moving out the collection of brass knuckles he accumulated over the years, the glass case filled with various "wheel-gun" revolvers and, of course, his portrait of "The Duke," John Wayne.

For the person who follows in his footsteps, Blake's leaving the long, wooden desk where on Oct. 4, 1971 he was sworn in by Latorraca as a deputy at age 21.

And although Blake admits even though he's physically left the halls of 700 W. 22nd St., like the sturdy old desk, part of him will always remain. "I have no regrets about it," Blake said, reflecting on his years with the department. "It was a good life. A good career. There were good times, hard times. Not a lot of money in the beginning. You make a lot of friends, and a lot of enemies too. The enemies forget you, but the friends stay forever. That's the good news about this job."

Blake, who was elected to the Merced City Council in November, will now pass the torch as the department's second-in-command -- a role he's held under Sheriff Mark Pazin since 2003. His replacement will be announced Monday.

On Friday, members of the sheriff's honor guard and the department's brass lined up in formation to offer a farewell to Blake. Blake, who had driven up to the department's headquarters with Pazin, said he appreciated the surprise gathering. He'd thought his last day would be spent sharing a cup of coffee with Pazin, and taking care of some final administrative duties. "I really didn't expect it. I am absolutely stunned," Blake said, shaking hands, and exchanging hugs with the deputies and staff he worked with over the years.

Pazin, who at one time worked under Blake as a sergeant, when Blake was a lieutenant in Los Banos, called him a law enforcement icon and a true friend. Pazin said he also appreciated Blake's common-sense approach to breaking down complex and daunting issues. "His focus is 20-20, his loyalty is insurmountable," Pazin said. "We've been together, in one form or fashion, since I first started with the department in 1979. His institutional insight was second to none."

During his time with the department, Blake served under eight sheriffs, participated in more than 50 homicide investigations, worked in every corner of the county, and took hundreds -- if not thousands -- of criminals off the streets of Merced County.

Born and raised in Merced, like many young people he grew up working in the fields. Before being sworn in as a deputy, Blake worked for Latorraca, guarding suspects who were being treated at the hospital.

For his first assignment, Latorraca ordered Blake to guard a drug dealer who was hospitalized after being in a car wreck. For protection, the sheriff gave Blake a small .38 caliber handgun. Blake sat with the drug dealer for a week-and-a-half, completing his first assignment, prior to getting sworn in.