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 staph. aureous meningitis. He was a Democrat.

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, when head prosecutor Gene McNary left his post and was elected County Executive, Westfall was elected to McNary's former position as head Prosecuting Attorney for St. Louis County. Westfall was re-elected in 1982 and 1986 without opposition.

In 1989, McNary was appointed Director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Republican H.C. Milford was appointed to fill the remainder of McNary's term. In 1990, Westfall was the Democratic nominee for the County Executive's position, and he defeated 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. Charlie Dooley was appointed to fill the remainder of his term. 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, now known as the Buzz Westfall Charitable Foundation, is a non-profit enterprise established to further Westfall's legacy of bettering the community through charitable works. The Foundation raises funds via an annual golf tournament, among other various events.

Westfall Lane, a street in Jennings, Missouri, was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Westfall in early 2004. Other memorials include the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri, 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. He left behind a legacy of public service and betterment of the community that he loved.