New report shows elevated level of alcohol at time of Dever’s death

Officials for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday that former sheriff Larry Dever had an elevated blood alcohol level on his system at the time of his death Sept. 18.

Dever was killed in a single vehicle accident on a dirt forest service road outside of Williams.

A report released last week by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office stated the sheriff was not wearing a seat belt and was traveling at an estimated 62 mph when he lost control of his truck rolling it once.

He was on his way to participate in a family hunting trip.

On Friday, Oct. 5 the Dever family was advised they had received information regarding the toxicology results from Sheriff Dever immediately after the accident. The results showed an elevated blood level content above the legal limit. How much over was not given in the release.

“The Dever family has expressed great sorrow at the findings, indicating that with the recent events in Sheriff Dever’s personal life to include the death of his mother Annie May four days prior to the accident, the Sheriff was still undoubtedly reeling from the stress and pressure of the events at hand,” a released statement from the CCSO read. “The Dever family advised that they remain so grateful for the overwhelming support and outpouring of love from Cochise County and across the nation, and they pray this report does not diminish the respect and admiration that so many have for such a great man. Our thoughts and prayers have been, and will continue to be, with the Dever Family, the Sheriff’s Office Family, and those who knew the true measure of a man that was embodied by Sheriff Larry A. Dever.”