Darrell 'Guy' Poncy, 53; retired O.C. sheriff's lieutenant was an avid outdoorsman
He is remembered as an unselfish man who was a mentor to deputies and to the high school athletes he coached in his free time.
Retired Orange County Sheriff's Lt. Darrell "Guy" Poncy, a 27-year department veteran and avid outdoorsman who loved to surf, died while running along one of his favorite trails. He was 53.
Poncy was found early Tuesday by a mountain biker on a path in Peters Canyon Regional Park, not far from his Orange home, according to colleagues. He was training for the annual Baker-to-Vegas run, a popular relay competition held annually for law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The cause of death has not been determined.
His closest friends remembered him as a modest, unselfish man of deep faith and high morals who put the needs of others before his, serving as a longtime mentor to deputies under his wing and to the high school athletes he coached in his free time.
"His integrity was unquestionable," said Lt. Jeff Bardzik. "He was approachable by anyone, regardless of rank. He had time for everybody and he was the most selfless person many of us in the department can remember."
Hired as an Orange County sheriff's deputy in 1977, Poncy was commander of the training academy before retiring in 2004. He continued to teach at the academy and participate in law enforcement activities such as the Vegas run and the annual Peace Officers Memorial bicycle ride that raises money for families of fallen deputies. He also helped coach track and cross-country at Orange Lutheran High School.
Poncy was an outspoken critic of former Sheriff Michael S. Carona. And in a lawsuit filed last year, he alleged he was dismissed as an academy instructor because he campaigned for Lt. Bill Hunt during the 2006 election and challenged Carona's ethics and practice of issuing badges and guns to political allies.
He is survived by his wife Rennetta; two daughters, Tiffany Pohuy and Kristie Poncy; his parents and a brother and sister. Services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at Cornerstone Church in Anaheim, 4905 E La Palma Ave.
christine.hanley@latimes.com
