Sacto 9-1-1: Update: Memorial fund set up for deputy's family

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Sacto 9-1-1

The Sacramento Bee's Crime blog is a comprehensive report of crime news, trends and information for your community and beyond.

November 13, 2008

Update: Memorial fund set up for deputy's family

From Kim Minugh and Chelsea Phua:

A fund has been established to assist the family of Sacramento County sheriff's deputy Larry Canfield, who died Wednesday in a motorcycle accident while on duty in Rancho Cordova.

Also, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered flags lowered across the state.

Donations can be made to the Larry Canfield Memorial Fund by visiting an Exchange Bank branch, or by sending a check. The bank has two locations in the region, one at 2320 Sunset Blvd., Suite 100, Rocklin, CA 95765; the other at 1420 Rocky Ridge Drive, Suite 190, Roseville, CA 95661.

The account's number is 1205001934 and the routing number is 121101985.

Canfield died at Mercy San Juan Medical Center shortly after he collided with a vehicle while riding his motorcycle eastbound on Coloma Road, near Sierra Madre Court. Early findings in the investigation indicate he was in pursuit of a speeding motorist and was attempting to pass another vehicle when that vehicle made a left turn and they collided.

The 13-year veteran and second-generation sheriff's deputy is survived by his wife, Michelle, and sons Tyler, 12, and Bryce, 10.

In ordering the flags lowered, Schwarzenegger expressed his condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Canfield.

Flags will be flown at half-staff in the deputy's honor.

Schwarzenegger said Canfield put his life on the line every day to protect people in his community.

"We are thankful for his commitment to public safety and know that Rancho Cordova is a better place because of his service," he said in a written statement. "Maria and I send our deepest condolences to Lawrence's family, friends and fellow deputies during his difficult time."

The Sheriff's Department provides police services to Rancho Cordova under a contract

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Q: What happened to the former boxing champ who murdered a prominent lawyer in the 1990s?

A: Timmothy Howard Harris was sentenced to 58 years to life in prison on Dec. 4, 1997, for the murder of Sacramento attorney Francis W. "Bud" Zilaff, according to Bee reports.

Harris, then 41 and a former boxing champion, was convicted of invading Zilaff's midtown Sacramento office July 3, 1997, and fatally shooting the 68-year-old attorney, who represented Harris' former wife in a long, bitter divorce case that left Harris in debt. Harris also was found guilty of assaulting five office employees.

The month long trial, which drew a steady stream of onlookers, ended Nov. 6, 1997, with jurors rejecting Harris' claim that police officers had "gotten the wrong guy."

Judge Greta Curtis Crossland, who had little discretion under California's sentencing laws, used what little latitude she had to give the former state welterweight champion an extra five years in prison, The Bee reported.

Crossland said she was doing so because of Harris' callousness in threatening employees with a loaded 9mm handgun and because of his deceit in using a disguise and gloves.

Zilaff was shot at his desk with no time to even "plead for his life before he was executed," Crossland said.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Johnson said Harris received "basically a life sentence."

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