Buzz Westfall
Encyclopedia
George "Buzz" Westfall was an American lawyer
and politician
. He served in the elected offices of Prosecuting Attorney (1978-1990) and County Executive
(1991-2003) of St. Louis County, Missouri
. He died, while in office, of staph. aureous meningitis. He was a Democrat
.
Westfall grew up in public housing
in St. Louis
. He attended St. Louis University High School and graduated from Saint Louis University
with his BA
and JD degrees. After completing law school
, he took a position in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's office as an assistant prosecutor. In 1978, when head prosecutor Gene McNary
left his post and was elected County Executive, Westfall was elected to McNary's former position as head Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County. Westfall was re-elected in 1982 and 1986 without opposition.
In 1989, McNary was appointed Director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
in the administration of President George H. W. Bush
. Republican H.C. Milford was appointed to fill the remainder of McNary's term. In 1990, Westfall was the Democratic nominee for the County Executive's position, and he defeated Milford in his bid for re-election. Westfall was re-elected County Executive in 1994, 1998, and 2002. In October 2003, less than a year into his new term of office, Westfall died after developing a meningitis
staph infection. Charlie Dooley
was appointed to fill the remainder of his term. Westfall was survived by his wife and three grown children.
Following Westfall's death, his friends and family established a charitable enterprise, the Buzz Westfall Memorial Fund, in his honor. The Memorial Fund, now known as the Buzz Westfall Charitable Foundation, is a non-profit enterprise established to further Westfall's legacy of bettering the community through charitable works. The Foundation raises funds via an annual golf tournament, among other various events.
Westfall Lane, a street in Jennings, Missouri
, was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Westfall in early 2004. Other memorials include the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri, and the Buzz Westfall Memorial Highway, a portion of Highway 364 in St. Louis County.
Westfall served a total of 35 years in St. Louis County government, including 24 years in elected office. He left behind a legacy of public service and betterment of the community that he loved.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served in the elected offices of Prosecuting Attorney (1978-1990) and County Executive
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
(1991-2003) of St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
. He died, while in office, of staph. aureous meningitis. He was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Westfall grew up in public housing
Public housing
Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is owned by a government authority, which may be central or local. Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organizations, or by a combination of the...
in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. He attended St. Louis University High School and graduated from Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 28 member institutions of the...
with his BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and JD degrees. After completing law school
Saint Louis University School of Law
Saint Louis University School of Law , also known as SLU LAW, is a private American law school located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of the professional graduate schools of Saint Louis University. Opened in 1843, it is the first law school west of the Mississippi River. The school has been ABA...
, he took a position in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's office as an assistant prosecutor. In 1978, when head prosecutor Gene McNary
Gene McNary
Gene McNary is an American politician. Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission, and County Executive of St. Louis County...
left his post and was elected County Executive, Westfall was elected to McNary's former position as head Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County. Westfall was re-elected in 1982 and 1986 without opposition.
In 1989, McNary was appointed Director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
Immigration and Naturalization Service
The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service , now referred to as Legacy INS, ceased to exist under that name on March 1, 2003, when most of its functions were transferred from the Department of Justice to three new components within the newly created Department of Homeland Security, as...
in the administration of President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. Republican H.C. Milford was appointed to fill the remainder of McNary's term. In 1990, Westfall was the Democratic nominee for the County Executive's position, and he defeated Milford in his bid for re-election. Westfall was re-elected County Executive in 1994, 1998, and 2002. In October 2003, less than a year into his new term of office, Westfall died after developing a meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
staph infection. Charlie Dooley
Charlie Dooley
Charlie A. Dooley is an American politician. He currently serves as the County Executive of St. Louis County, Missouri. Dooley is the first African American to hold this position. He is a Democrat.- Early life and career :...
was appointed to fill the remainder of his term. Westfall was survived by his wife and three grown children.
Following Westfall's death, his friends and family established a charitable enterprise, the Buzz Westfall Memorial Fund, in his honor. The Memorial Fund, now known as the Buzz Westfall Charitable Foundation, is a non-profit enterprise established to further Westfall's legacy of bettering the community through charitable works. The Foundation raises funds via an annual golf tournament, among other various events.
Westfall Lane, a street in Jennings, Missouri
Jennings, Missouri
Jennings is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,712 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Jennings is located at ....
, was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Westfall in early 2004. Other memorials include the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri, and the Buzz Westfall Memorial Highway, a portion of Highway 364 in St. Louis County.
Westfall served a total of 35 years in St. Louis County government, including 24 years in elected office. He left behind a legacy of public service and betterment of the community that he loved.