David Allan Lacey, 1954 – 2022

David Allan Lacey, husband of former Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, has died. He was 68 years old.

Lacey, a former forensic auditor in the district attorney's office, died Monday, according to a statement released by the former DA. He was diagnosed in March with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

In the statement, Jackie Lacey called her husband "an incredible student of the Holy Bible."

Former District Attorney Steve Cooley worked closely with David Lacey and Jackie Lacey, who was a high-ranking deputy in his administration before being elected DA herself. He called David Lacey a "full and complete gentleman."

"He was totally devoted to his wife and her well-being," Cooley said.

Richard Chacon, a criminal defense attorney who was close with the couple, said "he was the consummate gentleman. Always kind and considerate."

David Lacey was thrust into the spotlight during his wife's 2020 reelection campaign after Black Lives Matters protesters showed up on the couple's porch in the predawn hours, demanding to speak to the district attorney.

He was videotaped brandishing a gun at the protestors and telling them to leave. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra charged Lacey with three misdemeanors. He reached a diversion agreement in May 2021 that called for him to perform community service and take anger management and firearms training classes.

"I am devastated by the passing of David. He was a wonderful man and dear friend. He was principled and cared deeply for his wife Jackie and his family. This is a monumental loss," said attorney Samuel E. Tyre, who defended Lacey against the charges.

Lacey was born and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from Crenshaw High School and Cal State Los Angeles. He retired from the DA's office in 2016.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley said "Jackie is my best friend, and I've known David for years."

"He was one of the most loving, unassuming, gentle, kind men I've ever met," Dudley said. "I have seen him during Jackie's highs and lows, and he always had her back. The most important thing to him was making sure Jackie was respected and safe."

Dudley recalled visiting David Lacey a few days ago. "He said, 'take care of Jackie,'" she recalled. "I said, 'well that's easy.' He said, 'no, it's not.'"

David Lacey is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jackie Lacey, and the couple's children, Kareem and April. Services are pending.