James Heusdens

James "Jim" Heusdens, a resident of Porterville, died in Palo Alto on Feb. 7, 2004. He was 72.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Myers Funeral Chapel in Porterville. A service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Myers Chapel. Interment will be private.

Mr. Heusdens was a native of Racine, Wisc., and a resident of Porterville. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, then came to Porterville and joined the Porterville Police Department, working his way up to Lieutenant serving 17 years with the department. He continued to work as a detective Lieutenant while attending law school at night and after four years he passed the bar exam, the first time. He worked for three years in the Tulare County District Attorney's office. He worked on the Walker murder case as special prosecutor, after starting his private law practice in Porterville. A book and movie "A death in California" was later made about this case. Heusdens had worked in his earlier years as a scoutmaster and a member of the Porterville Fair Board. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, The Elks Lodge and former member of the Rotary and Lions clubs of Porterville.

Survivors include two sons, Jim Denman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Doug Heusdens of Fresno; several brothers and sisters; and two grandchildren.

Mr. Heusdens was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen Denman, in 1962.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.smithfamilychapel.com.

Smith Family Chapel in Exeter is in charge of arrangements.