Arturo "Art" Guerra
August 31, 1935 — May 26, 2017
Generous and devoted with a brilliant wit, Arturo “Art” Guerra passed away May 26, 2017 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. He was 81.
As a retired sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and senior investigator with the City of Long Beach, he was a one-of-a-kind leader, grandfather, father, husband, brother and friend to countless people.
Art was born Aug. 31, 1935 in El Paso, Texas, the youngest of three children, to Rafael and Maria Guerra. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico, where Art grew up. He worked for the local grocery store as a teen and graduated from Tucumcari High School. He also worked for the railroad for a short time and served in the US Air Force, where he was honorably discharged as an airman first class. He then followed his older brother to California and worked as a telegraph operator. While at a local fiesta in Chino, he met his first wife, Amalia Gomez. They married in 1959 and had three daughters, Cynthia, Kathryn and Jacqueline. While they raised their family, he went to school and graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Their marriage lasted until 1977.
He started his law enforcement career as a police officer with Vernon Police Department in 1964, then joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy, assigned to East LA, Lakewood, Lynwood and Lomita stations, where he retired as a Watch Sergeant in 1995. Early in his career as a bilingual deputy, he was instrumental in helping bridge the gap between law enforcement and the diverse neighborhoods of East Los Angeles during the 1960s and ’70s. He became a friend to all as he patrolled the neighborhoods. In an effort to improve community relations, the L.A. Sheriff’s Department asked Art to host a Spanish-speaking radio and television show entitled “Vamos a Platicar” to educate the public about the importance of interacting with law enforcement.
After retiring from law enforcement, he embarked on a second career in 1996 as an investigator with the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office until 2015. He earned numerous commendations and awards during his long career and was well-known and highly regarded in the Southern California law enforcement community.
“It’s no exaggeration to say Art was beloved -- just the kindest and noblest of all humans,” said Doug Haubert, City Prosecutor, City of Long Beach. “Art understood that law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard and he always met that standard. He sincerely cared about people, all people, and he had a special way of bonding with people on the most human level, whether patrolling for LASD in East LA in his first career, or interviewing domestic violence victims in his second one.”
In 1990 Art married Janet Guerra and became stepdad to David Hansen and Linda Shelton, and stepgrandfather to Chase, Seth and Cole Hansen.
He was an active member of the Elks Lodge in Downey, and the Moose Lodge in Bellflower, where he was loved by all for his charming manner and generous, thoughtful ways. Art had a strong faith and was at peace at the time of his passing.
Art is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Janet Guerra, his daughters Cynthia Benz, Kathryn Afetian and Jacqueline Beinecke; his stepson David Hansen and stepdaughter Linda Shelton, sons-in-law Michael Benz and Vic Afetian; grandchildren Joseph Benz (27), Matthew Benz (25), Andrew Benz (23), Cassandra Afetian (17), Christina Afetian (16) Alex Afetian (14), Olivia Afetian (11), Chase Hansen (20), Seth Hansen (18) and Cole Hansen (15); and his sister Eloise Cabral and brother Ralph Guerra Jr., and numerous nieces, nephews and family.
Services will be held on June 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 9647 E. Beach St., Bellflower, CA.Viewing will be from 9-11 a.m., and the funeral and mass from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reception immediately following at Downey Elks Lodge, 11233 Woodruff Ave, Downey, CA.
In lieu of flowers the family requests support of your local veteran’s group.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
As a retired sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and senior investigator with the City of Long Beach, he was a one-of-a-kind leader, grandfather, father, husband, brother and friend to countless people.
Art was born Aug. 31, 1935 in El Paso, Texas, the youngest of three children, to Rafael and Maria Guerra. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico, where Art grew up. He worked for the local grocery store as a teen and graduated from Tucumcari High School. He also worked for the railroad for a short time and served in the US Air Force, where he was honorably discharged as an airman first class. He then followed his older brother to California and worked as a telegraph operator. While at a local fiesta in Chino, he met his first wife, Amalia Gomez. They married in 1959 and had three daughters, Cynthia, Kathryn and Jacqueline. While they raised their family, he went to school and graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Their marriage lasted until 1977.
He started his law enforcement career as a police officer with Vernon Police Department in 1964, then joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy, assigned to East LA, Lakewood, Lynwood and Lomita stations, where he retired as a Watch Sergeant in 1995. Early in his career as a bilingual deputy, he was instrumental in helping bridge the gap between law enforcement and the diverse neighborhoods of East Los Angeles during the 1960s and ’70s. He became a friend to all as he patrolled the neighborhoods. In an effort to improve community relations, the L.A. Sheriff’s Department asked Art to host a Spanish-speaking radio and television show entitled “Vamos a Platicar” to educate the public about the importance of interacting with law enforcement.
After retiring from law enforcement, he embarked on a second career in 1996 as an investigator with the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office until 2015. He earned numerous commendations and awards during his long career and was well-known and highly regarded in the Southern California law enforcement community.
“It’s no exaggeration to say Art was beloved -- just the kindest and noblest of all humans,” said Doug Haubert, City Prosecutor, City of Long Beach. “Art understood that law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard and he always met that standard. He sincerely cared about people, all people, and he had a special way of bonding with people on the most human level, whether patrolling for LASD in East LA in his first career, or interviewing domestic violence victims in his second one.”
In 1990 Art married Janet Guerra and became stepdad to David Hansen and Linda Shelton, and stepgrandfather to Chase, Seth and Cole Hansen.
He was an active member of the Elks Lodge in Downey, and the Moose Lodge in Bellflower, where he was loved by all for his charming manner and generous, thoughtful ways. Art had a strong faith and was at peace at the time of his passing.
Art is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Janet Guerra, his daughters Cynthia Benz, Kathryn Afetian and Jacqueline Beinecke; his stepson David Hansen and stepdaughter Linda Shelton, sons-in-law Michael Benz and Vic Afetian; grandchildren Joseph Benz (27), Matthew Benz (25), Andrew Benz (23), Cassandra Afetian (17), Christina Afetian (16) Alex Afetian (14), Olivia Afetian (11), Chase Hansen (20), Seth Hansen (18) and Cole Hansen (15); and his sister Eloise Cabral and brother Ralph Guerra Jr., and numerous nieces, nephews and family.
Services will be held on June 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 9647 E. Beach St., Bellflower, CA.Viewing will be from 9-11 a.m., and the funeral and mass from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reception immediately following at Downey Elks Lodge, 11233 Woodruff Ave, Downey, CA.
In lieu of flowers the family requests support of your local veteran’s group.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
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