County’s emergency manager Steve Biro has died

Steve Biro, La Paz County Emergency Management Director for the past 18 years, has died.

The County released the following obituary.

It is with great sadness that we announce the La Paz County Emergency Management Director, Steve Biro passed away from lung disease on August 9th, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Anita Biro, his daughters, Tiara Biro and Messina Tunnell Gilbert, his sons, Brandon Biro, Larry Tunnell, Jeff Viles and nine grandchildren.


Steve Biro graduated from Parker High School and devoted 33 years of his professional life to law enforcement. He began his career working as a Deputy in the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.  He was primarily stationed in the Parker area and worked the Colorado River/Parker Strip, during the late 70’s and early 80’s. In 1983, when La Paz County split from Yuma County, it was shortly thereafter that Steve made the transition to the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office. 

During his time with the Sheriff’s Department, he was a Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Search and Rescue Coordinator and Undersheriff to Hal Collette. Steve was extremely active in search and rescue. He was a resident Deputy in the Ehrenberg area for several years and he also lived in the Salome Substation when it served as a “working inmate” detention facility. During that time, Steve lived in the substation and was responsible for providing the inmates with care and three meals per day. In 2009, he moved on to become the La Paz County Emergency Management Director and continued that for 18 years.

“La Paz County has lost a member of our family on Sunday. Steve dedicated many years as a public servant, and friend to so many of us. His wealth of knowledge throughout his career will be irreplaceable and he will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time,” said La Paz County Board of Supervisors Chair, Holly Irwin.

Steve had a gift for finding talent and touched several lives’ in the communities.  He believed in doing the right thing, even when no one was looking.  He was always telling amazing stories from his past and did not hide his love for rock and roll. His many friends and family knew that if you were ever in a hurry, do not start talking to Steve. His sense of humor was unique, and he had a genuine concern for those around him. 

Steve Biro will be greatly missed by all those that had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a very dedicated person and deeply loved his family, friends and the communities he grew up in.

33 comments

  1. So sorry for your loss. He was a fantastic officer and a very good man.

  2. My heart goes out to all touched by his death. We was a great man.
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  3. My Condolences to all Stephen’s Family and Friends.
    I have known and worked with Stephen for over 30 years. He was a very good Man. Stephen will be missed by all that knew him.

  4. It was very sad to read of his passing … I grew to know Steve while I was part of La Paz county search and rescue… we have lost a calm confident gentle man who will be very difficult to replace… my sadness goes out to his wife and family…

  5. So sorry to hear this. I knew Steve in high school. My best to his family.

  6. Janice (Suchaire) Atzinger

    So sad to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful person and it was a joy knowing him. Condolences to his family.

  7. I’m so sorry to hear this,. My thoughts and prayers are with his family…????????????????????. ????????????????????????RIP Steve Biro????????????????????????

  8. So Sorry ????????????????

  9. So very sad to hear steve was always professional and nice to me. Used to enjoy talking to him up at his office a the park. Rip my friend

  10. I’m saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. I knew Steve from high school. He was a good guy. My condolences to his entire family.

  11. Steve and I were in high school together sine my last name was Bonds and his Biro in class we were always seated next to each other. He was a great guy. My regards to his family

  12. So sorry condolences to he’s family

  13. I had the pleasure of working with Steve for many years as he was my first Sergeant with the sheriffs office. He was a true inspiration to all that worked with him.
    Steve was definitely a Rock and Roll type of a guy and it wasn’t always the music. His stories were always fun to hear and those of us that worked with him were part of his stories. It was a pleasure to have been part of his life and being able to share some good times with him, on and off work.

  14. Blessed BE he WHo is thOU art

  15. Condolences to the family ???? so sorry for your loss

  16. My Condolences to his family.RIP Steve and thank you for keeping us safe.????????????

  17. Condolences to the Biro Family. Nice person to work with during search n rescue in the past.

  18. My condolences to his Family.

  19. Rest in peace with the angels uncle Steve!???? Say hello to my moms for me! I will miss you tons!

  20. So Sorry for your loss…known the Boro family most all my life…Steve was older than me but not by much

  21. I am so sorry to hear this. Steve and I were on different agencies but worked together and backed each other up from the late 70s to 2000, when I moved to Indiana. He was “Harsky” and I was “Stuch.” I still feel bad about bleeding all over his car when I accidentally cut an artery helping him with a window at the Salome Sub-station. He hauled me all the way to Lake Havasu to be closed up. He was a good friend and will be missed.

  22. I was very sad to hear my uncle Steve passed. He was a great person and my favorite uncle. I will always remember the times I got to spend with him growing up. RIP

  23. The Obituary Didn’t Mention That Steve Also Worked For “Williams Police Department” From 1982 to 1984 .

  24. Steve was such a kind person and a long time friend to so many people in La Paz County both professionally and personally. I didn’t know him too well but he always had such a kind manner when I saw him.

  25. I love you dad

  26. So sad. My condolences to his Family. R I P ????

  27. Claudia Seechoma-Stewart

    Hey Biro. You were the most wonderful best friend to Terry and I. Through yours and Terry’s longtime friendship, plus work I came to know you as my good friend also. I want to thank you for being the most wonderful friend that you could be to Terry. I know that you missed him as much as I did. The music that the two of you shared was something else. All the records and albums you two would share. Just watching the two of you as you went through them made me smile. It’s over now Biro, you can rest in peace and no one can mess with or take that away from you. Be with your buddy now Biro. I’ll miss you and think of the both of you often. Blessings to the family.

  28. Condolences to the family from school friend and team mate Clyde Short

  29. I am saddened to read of Steve’s passing. I only knew him in grade school and high school and I always thought of him as one of the good guys. It’s comforting to know that he spent his adult life protecting and caring for others. I hope there is a special place in Heaven for members of the law enforcement community, and if there is, there is no doubt that he will there. Heck, he is probably wasting no time and is setting up an emergency management program to protect all the souls in Heaven.

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