LA kids' TV show host 'Sheriff' John Rovick dies

The Associated Press, Saturday, October 6, 2012, 10:06pm (PDT)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The host of a cartoon show known as "Sheriff John" to children in Los Angeles throughout the 1950s and 60s has died.

John Rovick died Saturday in Boise, Idaho after a brief illness, his former station, KTTV-TV, told The Associated Press. He was 93.

For nearly two decades, Rovick hosted a cartoon show that earned him an Emmy award for outstanding children's program. It was such a hit with youngsters that KTTV says (http://bit.ly/UtnnSL) it added another show to its midday schedule, "Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade," that stayed on the air until 1970.

Staples of the show included Rovick singing "The Birthday Cake Polka" and leading viewers on a prayer before having lunch along with them.

Rovick created the sheriff persona because of his interest in law enforcement.

He was survived by his wife and two daughters.