Margaret Ann York

Margaret "Peggy" York, whose law enforcement career spanned 44 years and made her once the highest ranking woman in the Los Angeles Police Department, was born in August 1941 to Ralph and Hazel Mandley of Minerva, Ohio, where she enjoyed the benefits of living in farm country. She slipped into the loving arms of Jesus on October 17, 2021 at the age of 80 in Los Angeles.

At the age of 13 her family moved to the greater Los Angeles area where she would attend Lynwood High School and find employment as the Easter Bunny at the May Company downtown. Her marriage to Donald York yielded her three treasured children: David, Dennis and Cynthia. Upon her divorce Peggy sought work to support her family and was hired as a civilian Radio Telephone Operator with the LAPD in 1965 and in 1968 began her police career as a Policewoman, working her way thru the ranks and in 2000 becoming the first woman Deputy Chief in the history of the LAPD, responsible for police operations in the heart of the city including five police stations, a traffic division and 2000 employees. She was part of the first ever all woman homicide detective team in 1979, partnering with Det. Helen Kidder. The groundbreaking TV series "Cagney & Lacey" was influenced by their stellar work.

Peggy was proud to be one of the pioneering women who changed the face of law enforcement. While women once served only in limited roles, all ranks and assignments are open to women today.

In 2003 Peggy became Chief of the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety, a specialized police agency responsible for County facilities, parks and hospitals. With 600 sworn officers and 750 contracted security guards it was the County's fourth largest police agency. She retired from that position in 2009

Peggy earned her BA in Management from the University of Redlands and her MA in Public Administration with Honors from USC. She was a graduate of the LAPD Academy and FBI National Academy Class 159.

Peggy's private life reflected her commitment to public service and her compassion for those less fortunate, serving more than two decades as a member and past chair of the Metro Los Angeles Advisory Board of the Salvation Army and the founder of Friends of Maneadero, a Salvation Army women's shelter in Baja California. She served as a director of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles and chaired the Childrens' Court Committee and served on the boards of Women Against Gun Violence, The Trusteeship and the Los Angeles Police Museum where she served as Chair of the Chief's Circle.

Peggy was grateful to have been raised in a family of believers. Her iPhone ringtone is the children's hymn "Jesus Loves Me." She approached her daily Bible reading joyously and was a long time member of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.

In 2018 Peggy became a published poet with three of her poems featured in ONTHEBUS, a popular literary journal. In her retirement she had two passions: her writing and her friends from her childhood in Ohio, high school in Lynwood, the LAPD, LA5 Rotary and her besties: The Pooligans.

Peggy was preceeded in death by father Ralph, mother Hazel, brother Lee and grandson Richard Rickords. She is survived by her heartbroken and lost husband of 40 years, Judge Lance Ito whom she met at 3 o'clock in the morning at a homicide crime scene and married 336 days later. She is also survived by brothers Gregory Mandley (Barbara) and Jeff Mandley (Corinne), sons David York (Maureen), Dennis York (Meeran) and daughter Cynthia York Shadian (Isaac), as well as treasured grandchildren Justin York, Dominique York, Jessica Shadian, Devin York, Abraham Shadian, Allison Shadian and Sean York, plus great grandchildren Ainsley Shadian-Smith and newly arrived Leilani Shadian.

The family thanks Dr. Cleo Williams, the doctors, nurses and staff at Methodist SoCal and Keck USC, LAPD Chief Michel Moore and Commander Ruby Flores, and our friends at PRG.

Peggy led and lived by example, always looking to transform lives. She did just that in the 22 years she served on the LA Metro Advisory Board for The Salvation Army. In remembrance of Peggy's life, please consider a donation to The Salvation Army's Los Angeles Social Services Programs or The Pasadena Hope Center at URL: salarmy.us/peggyyork in honor of Peggy.

Memorial services will be held at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. Visit forestlawn.com/parks/hollywood-hills for details.