George Deukmejian was an American Republican politician who served as the 35th Governor of California. A well-respected, honest and down-to-earth man, his approval ratings as governor surpassed that of former governor Ronald Reagan. He was the son of Armenian immigrants who fled to the USA to escape the genocide in the Turkish Ottoman empire. It is probably because of his family’s history that public safety became paramount in his governorship. He was brought up in a small village near the Hudson River. After his school years, he studied sociology and law and became involved in the Republican party. Drafted into the army after his university education, he spent a couple of years in Paris. Returning to USA, he settled in California and soon got involved in public life. Starting as a state senator, he gradually rose the ranks to win the governorship of California. As a governor, his tight-fisted approach to fiscal matters earning him the sobriquet ‘Iron Duke’. He also used an iron hand in matters of law and order, building prisons, appointing hardliner judges and banning assault weapons. Never the one to seek limelight, he refused to be considered as a running mate for George H.W. Bush deciding that governing California was a bigger priority. After serving as governor for two terms he did not run again and joined a law firm. After retiring from the firm, he served in various special committees. He passed away at the age of 89.