Community Mourns Death of Former Napa County Undersheriff Mike Loughran

By Bay City News—

Michael Loughran, a 32-year employee of the Napa County Sheriff's Office, died Monday while vacationing in Maui.

Loughran, 61, was snorkeling at the Ka'anapali Beach Club when a current carried him away from shore, according to media reports. He later died after being brought back to land.

Napa County Undersheriff Jean Donaldson said Loughran, who retired about four years ago, was dedicated to his community and family.

[Related Patch Article: Loughran Looks Back on Cop Career]

"He was a great guy to work for. He was one of my mentors. He'll be missed by all," Donaldson said.

Loughran rose through the ranks during his time at the sheriff's office, and was undersheriff when he retired.

"He was the sheriff's department's Santa Claus, and he visited children in Napa and department members' children," Donaldson said.

Loughran was a member of the Napa Rotary Club and a volunteer with The Pathway Home in Yountville, which provides residential treatment services to veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Mike was a larger-than-life character. His smile was his signature and he was immediately likable by all those he met," a post on The Pathway Home's Facebook page states.

"He was often the first person Pathway residents met at the airport when they arrived to begin our program and frequently the man who saw them return home. We'll miss him terribly. This isn't farewell, Mike; rather godspeed," the post concludes.

Loughran was on vacation in Maui with his family. He is survived
by his wife Denise, two children and two grandchildren, Donaldson said.

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