EKSTEDT, Steven Nels

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Friday, September 28, 2012 - Steven Nels Ekstedt, age 64, passed away Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 at his home in Lake Havasu City, after a brave battle with cancer. He was born in Lynwood, Calif., Aug. 31, 1948. Steven spent most of his youth in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 1966. Soon after, Steven enrolled in the United States Army on April 18, 1967 where he served as a Staff Sergeant for three years and became a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. After his military service, Steven returned to Huntington Beach where he continued his education and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law Enforcement. In 1974 he joined the Huntington Beach Police Department and began a 30-year career as a dedicated Police Officer for the city. Steven was passionate about teaching kids throughout the city about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and was integral in starting the city's first D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to help educate K-12 students on how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. Upon retirement, Steven moved to Lake Havasu City where he became an active member of the Mohave County Sheriffs Department as a Boating Safety Officer, as well as a member of the department's Search and Rescue team. He loved to spend his free time traveling the country in his fifth wheel, especially throughout Utah where he would visit family, hunt near Blue Mountain and go house boating on Lake Powell. Steven is survived by his two sons, Erich and Chris and their spouses; three grandchildren, Payton, Samantha and Lily; and his dog, Lacey. Memorial services are to be determined. Condolences can be sent to the family directly or through www.lakehavasumortuary.com. Arrangements are under the care of Lake Havasu Mortuary and Crematory