John Peyton, a former longtime federal prosecutor here who later served as head of the state Department of Public Safety, died this week in a car crash in Africa.

Peyton, 62, who was helping the legal system in Malawi in southeast Africa, and his wife, Eileen, were on vacation on their way to Victoria Falls when they were involved in the car crash, first assistant U.S. attorney Elliott Enoki said.

Peyton's wife was hospitalized, but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Enoki said.

Federal and state officials expressed sadness upon learning of Peyton's death.

"I know Hawai'i is going to miss this true leader," U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said. "I know he served the people of Hawai'i to the best of his ability. He loved Hawai'i and always wanted to come back and visit."

Kubo said Peyton's leadership as a supervisor in the U.S. attorney's office was "exemplary."

Kubo himself worked under Peyton before becoming U.S. attorney.

"Everyone in this office respected him, and we looked up to him for leadership and guidance in our cases," Kubo said. "That's because he was an old war horse. He was well established as a litigator."

Peyton worked at the U.S. attorney's office for two decades, starting in 1983. His most famous case was prosecuting Ronald Rewald, who was imprisoned in 1985 for defrauding victims of millions of dollars through the bogus firm of Bishop, Baldwin, Rewald, Dillingham & Wong.

Peyton's tenure also included an assignment to the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as its legal adviser.

In 2003, Gov. Linda Lingle appointed Peyton to head the Department of Public Safety. He resigned the following year to return to Bosnia and help the nation's legal system. He later worked for the United States Agency for International Development to help with the Republic of Malawi's legal system.

Lingle described Peyton as "a good man and a dedicated public servant."

"His commitment to helping people extended to the international community, as evidenced by the prominent role he played assisting the war-torn nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina establish a judicial system," she said. "While John's work took him to places far beyond our shores, he held a special place in his heart for Hawai'i. He will be missed."

Kubo said services are pending.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.