Audio By Carbonatix
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Just back to the shop a bit ago from a going-away luncheon for beloved jailhouse psychiatrist Leonardo Garcia-Bunuel, at the medical ward of the Estrella County Jail in south Phoenix.
Garcia-Bunuel, who is 84, is moving to Reno with his lovely bride, where a retirement surrounded by family, his books and his music await.
Garcia-Bunuel has worked for Maricopa County as a shrink for 37 years, which in Correctional Health Services years, makes him at least 200 years old.
He has endured some remarkable things during his tenure–most notably Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s endless reign of jailhouse hell–and has done so with grace, professionalism and a keen (if understated) sense of humor.
The deep respect for the Spanish-born gent was borne out by those who showed up for the informal Mexican food lunch:
Retired sheriff’s deputies who used to work in the psych ward, a host of Correctional Health employees, and random friends all showed up to break bread with him, hug him and wish him all the best,
As do we.
Here is a little yarn we wrote about the good doctor about a decade ago, when a charlatan named Joe Murray tried to get rid of him.
Murray is long gone.
Dr. Leonardo Garcia-Bunuel stayed the course.
