James Dragoo

James Roland (Jim) Dragoo of Sacramento, CA passed away at his home on the

morning of April 14, 2026 with his loving daughter, son, and a family friend by his side.

Jim was born on a cold Christmas Eve in 1938 in Moscow, Idaho. He was delivered at

home by his grandmother as the doctor could not get there in 8 feet of snow. He

forever hated the cold weather.

He is survived by his sister Myrna, his daughter Jeffrie Rowland, his son Jerry Dragoo

(Kristine), grandchildren: Jason (Alisha), Ken, Nick, Joel (Julissa), and Jocelyn. In

addition, his great grandchildren are: Kenneth, Zierra, Alison, Jo, Lexie, Samantha,

Nate, Kaitlin, Gunnar, Delaney and Ethan, plus many cousins and other family.

Jim is predeceased by Juanita “Rae,” his loving wife of 62 years, his son Jimmy, his

two brothers Robert and Phillip, and his sister Marian.

He attended Melba High School where he was a standout athlete. Jim and Rae were

married on December 23, 1956. He joined the United States Air Force in 1957 and

served four years as a fireman at Harlingen Air Force Base in Texas. He was

discharged in 1961 and moved to Sacramento, CA where he, Rae, and family lived the

rest of their lives.

Jim joined the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department in 1965. He held various

positions within the department as a Deputy and later as a Sergeant including working

at the Rio Cosumnes Correction Center, in patrol, as a bailiff, a detective, and in

human resources during his tenure with the department, retiring in 1992. After his

official retirement he returned to the department to work with the Toy Project Unit and

as a work release crew supervisor for another fifteen years.

During Jim’s tenure with the Sheriff’s Department, he attended Sacramento State

University achieving a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1974. He later taught

classes part-time in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement at Sacramento State.

Jim Dragoo was an exceptionally good man, and a generous man who would help

anyone in need with his time or resources. He entertained his friends and family with

humorous stories and his karaoke singing.

A funeral service with honors will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, 11:00am at East

Lawn Mortuary at 5757 Greenback Lane in Sacramento with interment to follow at the

adjacent Sierra Hills Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00pm at the

American Legion Post 447 located at 720 Santiago Ave., Sacramento, CA.

Jim requested that no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

Law Enforcement Chaplaincy – Sacramento, CA (1601 Response Road, Suite 110,

Sacramento, CA 95815)