A salute to Mike Biaggini

Capt. Mike Biaggini spent half his life serving the people of Douglas County.

Diagnosed with colon cancer eight years ago, Biaggini was saluted as a "cop's cop" by his fellow officers at his retirement party on Jan. 30. He died early on Ash Wednesday at the age of 55.

On Wednesday others had to perform the service he'd so often performed himself as a deputy coroner.

Many Valley families had learned of a loved one's death thanks to Biaggini. Where those deaths needed to be investigated, and justice sought, Biaggini was there, too.

But it wasn't just the end of life where Biaggini dealt with the public.

For years he was the face of child car seat safety in Douglas County.

Whether it was overseeing running over defective car seats with the sheriff's office armored personnel carrier, or installing seats for the Gardnerville quads, Biaggini was happy to help keep children safe.

When Biaggini's cancer returned, Carson Valley residents rushed to provide the same support he'd provided them over the years. When he'd overcome that bout, we all cheered.

His battle wasn't over, and eventually the disease won out, but that didn't take him from our hearts.

We salute him for his brave battle, and for all the years he served our county.