Bishop - Late Inyo D.A. honored by colleagues, family

Friends, family members and colleagues gathered Friday to honor Inyo’s former longtime District Attorney LaJoie Harold “Buck” Gibbons, Jr. with a memorial plaque dedication at the historic Independence Courthouse.
Gibbons faithfully served as Inyo County’s district attorney from 1974-97, handling several high-profile cases and helping to secure the Inyo-Los Angeles Long-term Water Agreement.
Now Gibbons’ legacy will serve as a reminder to all who visit the District Attorney’s office in Independence, where there now hangs a memorial plaque that reads, “Respect for the Law. Integrity in his profession. Commitment to the environment. An inspiration to all of us.”
Gibbons’ family traveled from all over the U.S. and Canada to take part in the dedication ceremony Friday afternoon. Attending family members included Gibbons’ widow, Sybil, of Martinez; daughters, Michelle and Melissa and their husbands and children from Denver; his stepdaughter, Erin Capps, also of Denver; stepson, Captain Devon Capps and his wife and children of Ft. Campbell, Ky.; sister Diane of Philadelphia.; niece Melissa of Pennsylvania; and nephew Graham of Toronto.
Gibbons was also honored by a number of his former colleagues, including attorney Antonio Rossman, Superior Court Judge Dean Stout, former mock trial teacher Bea Beyer, former Inyo County Supervisor Warren Allsup and former District Attorney Phil McDowell, who spoke at the ceremony about Gibbons’ dedication to his profession and love for Inyo County.
Gibbons, who died suddenly in 2001 at the age of 59, joined the Inyo County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor in 1967. Alongside then-D.A. Frank Fowles, Gibbons played an integral role in settling the early L.A.-Inyo County water wars, and witnessed the jailing in 1969 of Charles Manson and his followers in Independence and their eventual extradition to Los Angeles to face murder charges.
In 1974, Gibbons defeated Fowles to win the D.A. seat.

On hand to dedicate a memorial plaque in honor of late Inyo County D.A. Buck Gibbons on Friday were friends, colleagues and family members from all over the country, including former D.A. Phil McDowell, Gibbons’ widow Sybil, attorney Antonio Rossman and Superior Court Judge Dean Stout (l-r). Photo by Jon Klusmire

Even after his retirement in 1997, Gibbons continued to serve the community by holding seats on the Inyo County Grand Jury and the Northern Inyo Hospital Board of Directors.
Following retirement from the county, Gibbons continued working on a volunteer basis, helping many who needed legal advice. He also continued working with county leadership and citizens throughout his retirement.
He was also an active counselor for Bishop Union High School’s mock trial team, often meeting with students early in the morning, before court or school was in session.