Longtime Fresno County undersheriff dies unexpectedly

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A longtime Fresno County undersheriff passed away Thursday night, 16 months after his last day on the job.

Scott Jones was only 52-years-old when he died unexpectedly. He was serious about law enforcement and rose through the ranks from reserve deputy to undersheriff in a 30-year career. But he was also a jokester and a story teller. This is his story.

Scott Jones took pride in the beige uniform with the green and gold badge. From 1983 to 2013 he wore different hats -- in vice, on patrol, or as the undersheriff -- but always the uniform. And from day one, he was a leader.

"I doubt if the sheriff will ever find somebody to replace him with that kind of talent, that kind of foresight, that kind of caring for people and that kind of loyalty to this community and the department," said Lt. Rick Ko, who went to the sheriff's academy with Jones in the 1980s.

Jones was a former athlete, and he loved sports. Those who knew him also heard a lot about his family -- his wife and two sons. In his final years, he got to combine his loves.

"A lot of his time since he had retired actually coaching and supporting his sons is their athletic endeavors," said Mike Chapman, a retired Fresno County sheriff's sergeant who counted Jones as his best friend. "He loved those boys fiercely and was very proud of them and his sons are basically his human credential."

Jones also enjoyed hunting and the movie Tombstone. He even visited the humorous Arizona gravesite featured in the movie. His own tombstone might reflect his sense of humor. Friends say Jones worked incredibly hard, but was also never far from launching a prank. He just wouldn't get there quickly.

"Scott was really a horrible driver," Lt. Ko said. "And Scott drove about 55 miles an hour everywhere, even on the freeway and in the fast lane. And I remember even elderly drivers drove by us."

Ultimately, his career -- and the uniform -- may define Jones. Sheriff Margaret Mims promoted him to undersheriff in 2007. She left a state sheriffs meeting in Monterey Friday, telling Action News she's devastated by the loss.

"He was just a great family man, a great deputy sheriff, a great undersheriff and we're all going to miss him," she said.

His cause of death is unknown, but doctors believe it had something to do with a medical condition.

A viewing will be held Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Light. Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Northside Church.

Instead of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association.