PERRY CO, Mo. (News First) – A former long-time leader of Perry County has died, Sheriff Gary Schaaf.
Gary Joseph Schaaf of Perryville was 67 years old when he passed away on August 19th at his home. Sheriff Schaaf served 40 years in law enforcement, all in Perry County. He began as a deputy at the Perry County Sheriff’s Department for four years, became the Perryville Chief of Police, serving six years in that position and then served Perry County as the sheriff for 30 straight years.
Schaaf also served 12 years in the Army National Guard. Gary was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and a member of American Legion Post 133, where he served on the honor guard, was a past president of the National Sheriff’s Association and the SEMO Drug Task Force. Gary was also a licensed scuba diver for search and rescue and he started an equine search and rescue team.
Gary Schaaf believed in the 2nd Amendment. He was a history buff. He also loved the outdoors, fishing, grilling, gardening, and tinkering with things and he enjoyed astronomy. One of Gary’s greatest loves was spending time with his family. Gary and his wife Tamara were first married back in 1982..
Gary Schaaf is survived by his two sons, Brian of Perryville and Aaron of Cape Girardeau and his daughter Amanda Geile of Perryville.
