Buzz Westfall

George "Buzz" Westfall (March 19, 1944 – October 27, 2003) was an American lawyer and politician. He served in the elected offices of Prosecuting Attorney (1978–1990) and County Executive (1991–2003) of St. Louis County, Missouri. He died, while in office, of Staphylococcus aureus meningitis at the age of 59.

George "Buzz" Westfall
6th County Executive of St. Louis County
In office January 1, 1991 – October 14, 2003
Preceded by	H. C. Milford
Succeeded by	Charlie Dooley
Personal details
Born	March 19, 1944 St. Louis, Missouri
Died	October 27, 2003 (aged 59) St. Louis County, Missouri
Cause of death	Staph meningitis
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Laurie Westfall

Westfall grew up in public housing in St. Louis. He attended St. Louis University High School and graduated from Saint Louis University with his BA and JD degrees. After completing law school, he took a position in the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's office as an assistant prosecutor. In 1978, Westfall was elected as head Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County. Westfall was re-elected in 1982 and 1986 without opposition.

In 1990, Westfall was the Democratic nominee for the County Executive's position, and he defeated incumbent H.C. Milford in his bid for re-election. Westfall was re-elected County Executive in 1994, 1998, and 2002. In October 2003, less than a year into his new term of office, Westfall died after developing a meningitis staph infection.[1] Westfall was survived by his wife and three grown children.

Following Westfall's death, his friends and family established a charitable enterprise, the Buzz Westfall Memorial Fund, in his honor. The Memorial Fund, later renamed The Buzz Westfall Charitable Foundation, was a non-profit enterprise established to further Westfall's legacy of bettering the community through charitable works. The Foundation raised funds via an annual golf tournament, among other various events, with proceeds going directly to various charities.

Westfall Lane, a street in Jennings, Missouri, was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Westfall in early 2004. In 2006, the Buzz Westfall Plaza On The Boulevard opened for business, anchored by a new Schnucks supermarket and Target, on the site of the deteriorating Northland Shopping Center in Jennings.[2] Other memorials include the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri,[3] and the Buzz Westfall Memorial Highway, a portion of Highway 364 in St. Louis County.

Westfall served a total of 35 years in St. Louis County government, including 24 years in elected office.

References

1. "St. Louis County Executive 'Buzz' Westfall dies at 59". St. Louis Business Journal. 2003-10-28. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
2. "Target opens in former Northland Shopping Center". St. Louis American. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
3. Fernandez, Manny, and John Eligon, "Man, 20, Is Arrested in the Shooting of 2 Officers in Ferguson", New York Times, March 15, 2015. Justice Center mentioned in passing. Retrieved 2015-03-16.

See also

• St. Louis University press release upon giving an award to Westfall - include biographical information
• Commentary by Gene McNary after Westfall's death