Former Visalia Police Department officer Steve Dyar, who made the DARE drug education for youth program his own, died this week. He was only 52.

Dyar retired from the department in 2004, but he was so well-liked by everyone there that Visalia Police Chief Bob Carden is speaking at his funeral.

“He had a lot of pride about the organization, about being a police officer,” Carden said. “He’s a wonderful guy and a solid citizen. We’re going to miss Steve, as a community.”

Dyar joined the Visalia force in 1978. He made agent and had an article published in California Police Officer Magazine, but being the DARE officer “sparked a lot of enthusiasm in Steve, and he was already enthusiastic,” Carden said.

Services are at 9 a.m. Saturday at Assembly of God church in Visalia. A police escort to the cemetery is planned.