Sheriff John, Southland TV icon, dies at 93

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sheriff John, the host of a long-running and very popular children's show, died at the age of 93 Saturday.

For a generation of Angelenos, Sheriff John was a superstar. We watched him every day. We listened to his every word. We sang along with him. We trusted him. Saturday night we said goodbye to him.

Sheriff John Rovick celebrated a lot of birthdays in his life. And his "Birthday Song" was a fan favorite. For those of us of a certain age growing up in L.A., he always seemed to be there for us.

He often made public appearances on the weekends. The TV star was also an announcer.

Sheriff John told me it was about passing on good values and important lessons to children.

Back in 1998, I found Sheriff John happily retired and living in Boise, Idaho. At the time, he was working on putting together a scrapbook for his grandchildren. He was filling it with his life's memories, including the proud years he spent in the U.S. Air Force.

Sheriff John made a lot of children happy, and he carried his theme song with him for most of his long life.

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television, famous death, entertainment, george pennacchio

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