Retired Sergeant Diane Rava Has Died UPDATE

Diane Marilyn Rava 52, passed away on Wednesday March 19, 2014, at the home of her sister, Deborah Hopps, in Round Rock Texas, surrounded by her loving family after a heroic battle with cancer.

 Diane was born in Constableville, NY, on August 13, 1961, a daughter of Edward M. and Charlotte C. Ziankoski Rava. She grew up on the Rava Homestead farm near Boonville, NY, and graduated from South Lewis Central High School, Turin, NY, with the Class of 1979. Thereafter she continued her education at Jefferson Community College and then Utica College, where she studied White Collar Crime. Diane graduated Cum Laude from St. Leo University, St. Leo, Fla, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2011.

She moved to Buford, Georgia in 1983 where she met Bruce Potts. They married on December 31, 1990. On July 29, 1985, Diane was accepted into the DeKalb County Police Academy, and graduated in November, 1985. She had a very distinguished career with the DeKalb County Police Department and received over 30 commendations in 30 years. In 1985 she started her career as a member of the Uniform Division Patrol. From 1989 to 2003 she was a Burglary Detective in the Criminal Investigation Division and received Top Honors as Detective of the Year in 1998 and 1999. In 2003 she cleared 119 cases as a detective and recovered $166,531 worth of stolen property.

 In 2003 she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and worked Uniform Division, Patrol & was a member of the Training Review Board. In 2005 she was assigned to the Program Operations Division which supported the District Attorney and Solicitor General 's Office. In 2006 Diane was assigned to the Office of the Director of Public Safety/Communications and served as Acting Commander of the 911 Communications Center, where she was responsible for the $23 million Digital Radio System upgrade for the DeKalb County Police and Fire Department. From 2010-2013, she served in the Investigations and Support Services Division as Supervisor over all county business permits to include taxi and wrecker services. Diane qualified with a 90% or higher with her departmental issued weapon twice a year since she joined the department. Diane stated frequently how much she loved her job. She described herself as "black and white, direct, and always doing the right thing ". She was extremely honest, you could have a conversation with Diane - and knew it would absolutely remain private, period.

Diane loved her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; they were a very important part of her life. There were times where she knew things before their parents! Diane had an uncanny knack for delivering every story she told with every detail from start to finish. You would be wanting to tell her…alright already just tell me what happened! There was nothing that she loved more than an interesting conversation with a good friend. Diane could have an engaging conversation with anyone. Diane loved animals and especially “her chows ". She was a member and past president of the Chow Chow Fanciers of Atlanta, GA.

Diane grew up in a home where the love of God was strong. She was an active member and greatly enjoyed attending Mary Our Queen Catholic Church, Norcross, GA, Diane enjoyed shopping, baking, traveling and working in her flower and vegetable gardens.

In addition to her husband, Bruce, of Buford, Diane is survived by sisters Deborah Hopps and husband Rick, Austin, TX, Denise Hawk and her husband, Pat, Umatilla, FL, Dawn and her husband, Dennis, Boonville, her mother, Charlotte Rava, Boonville and many special nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Edward Rava, on January 22, 2000.

The viewing for Diane with full Police honors will be held in Norcross, Ga. at Crowell Brothers Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, March 24, 2014. Church services with Police honors will be celebrated at Mary our Queen Catholic Church March 25, 2014 at 2:30pm.

Viewing in Boonville, NY will be held at the Trainor Funeral Home 143 Schuyler St. from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on March 27, 2014. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph 's Catholic Church, March 28, 2014 at 10:00am with internment at St. Joseph 's cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mary our Queen Catholic Church, 6260 The Co ers Pkwy NW, Norcross, GA 30092 or St Joseph 's Catholic Church, 110 Charles St, Boonville, NY 13309.