In Remembrance – 2021

Retired SJFD Fire Captain Stan Jones passed on 12/14/21 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Linda, and sons Jeffrey and Timothy.

Retired SJPD Officer Roy Jueal #1318 passed away on December 21, 2021. Roy served the SJPD for 30 years.

Retired SJPD Officer Orville Yarbrough #1363 passed away at his home in Escondido, CA on December 12, 2021. He was hired in 1968 and retired in 1986.

Retired SJFD Fire Inspector Ed Cutter passed away on 12-11-2021 after a battle with Cancer.  He is survived by his wife Janice and two sons Greg and Erik.

Retired SJPD Officer Richard Davis #1634 passed away on December 8, 2021 in Yuma, Arizona. He was 79.

Retired SJFD Firefighter Neil Jameson passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and served the SJFD for approximately 25 years.

Retired SJFD Captain Larry Torkelson passed on 11/28/21 at age 78. Larry retired on August 5, 1999.  He is survived by his wife, Beverly.

Kevin Nishita was a former San Jose Police Officer who retired from Colma PD in 2018. He was working as a private security officer when he was murdered in Oakland while protecting a KRON TV news reporter who was covering one of the mob retail burglaries. You can read the news story regarding this senseless killing by clicking this link. Donations to support Kevin’s family can be made to the SJPOA at this link. Kevin died from his gunshot wounds on November 27, 2021.

Retired SJPD Lieutenant Patrick McGuire passed away on the morning of October 18, 2021. Pat retired on April 6, 2000. Pat leaves behind his wife, Cindy, son Ryan, who is a sergeant with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, two grandchildren, and brothers, Robert and Tim, both of whom were also in law enforcement.  We will keep you informed if we receive any additional information.

Retired SJFD Captain Bobby Burdine passed away on October 20, 2021. Bobby retired from SJFD on October 3, 1996.

Retired San Jose Police Sergeant Gary Thompson passed away on October 15, 2021.  He was appointed to the San Jose Police Department on January 1, 1963, where he served 28 years.  While with SJPD, he worked Patrol, H-Cars, Canine, Burglary, and Auto Theft/RATTF.  He retired on September 11, 1979.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margie, and two daughters. Posted: 10/21/21

Retired San Jose Firefighter Richard Bibby passed on October 4, 2021, at the age of 92. Richard served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Posted: 10/12/21

Retired SJFD Firefighter Bob Carabal passed away the week of 10/3/21. Posted: 10/6/21

Retired SJPD Sgt. Steven G. Heck passed on August 6, 2021. He retired from SJPD on July 31, 1994. Posted: 10/1/21

Former SJPD Police Officer Kenneth D. Banner passed away on 9/4/2021. Ken joined the SJPD in 1967 and worked as a training officer and as a beat officer. He left the SJPD in 1971 to join the United States Secret Service where served for close to 30 years. Posted: 9/28/21

Retired San Jose Police Sergeant Larry Weir #1517 passed away on September 20, 2021 Posted: 9/21/21

Retired SJPD Sgt. Glenn Terry #1090 passed away peacefully at his home in August.

Retired San Jose Police Officer and former Association Director, Paul Schmidt passed away on August 25, 2021. Paul graduated from SJSU and was a member of Chi Pi Sigma. Posted: 8/30/21

Retired SJFD Captain Mario Busalacchi passed away on August 22, 2021.  Mario retired on July 24, 2010. Posted: 8/22/21

Retired SJFD Captain Clyde Henry passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Clyde retired from SJFD on March 3, 1994. Posted: 8/22/21

Retired SJFD Firefighter Gary Schceickert passed away on Aug 6, 2021. He retired from SJFD on July 3, 1993. Posted: 8/22/21

Retired firefighter Bill Adams passed away on August 4, 2021. Bill retired on December 3, 1998. He was 77 when he passed. Posted: 8/7/21

Retired San Jose fire engineer Wayne Chapp passed away on August 3, 2021. Wayne retired in March 2000. He was 78 when he passed. Posted: 8/3/21

Retired San Jose police officer Juan Reyes #2649 passed away on July 28, 2021 Posted: 7/29/21

Retired San Jose Firefighter Randy Knapp passed away on January 29, 2021. Posted: 7/20/21

retired SJPD Lt. Jack Woodall passed away on July 14, 2021. Posted: 7/15/21

Retired SJPD Sergeant John Trussler passed away on July 1st, 2021. Posted: 7/9/21

Retired SJFD Fire Engineer Danny R. Holmes passed away July 5, 2021. Danny retired from the SJFD on May 14, 1978

Retired SJFD Division Chief Steve Alvarado passed away on July 2, 2021. Steve retired from SJFD in 2014. Posted: 7/2/21

Retired San Jose Police Officer James Hart passed away on June 22, 2021. James retired from SJPD on December 3, 1969. Posted: 9/3/21

Retired SJPD Sgt. Robert M. Browning #1205 passed away on June 19, 2021. At the time of his passing, he was living in Alpine, Utah. Posted: 6/22/21

Retried SJFD Bill Hackett passed away on May 34, 2021. Posted: 6/18/21

Retired SJFD Chief Bruce Staples passed away on May 18, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. Bruce was hired as a firefighter in 1970 and rose to the rank of Acting Fire Chief in 1999, serving in that position until April of 2000.  He retired from SJFD in August 2000. Posted: 5/18/21

Retired SJFD Fire Engineer Jerry Mathis passed away on  May 8, 2021. He retired from SJFD on April 6, 1988.  He was 72 years old at his passing. Posted: 5/12/21

Retired Firefighter William “Bill” P. Hacket passed away on May 2, 2021. He retired from SJFD on November 6, 1991. He is survived by his son Kirk and daughter Kelly. Posted: 5/5/21

Retired SJPD Lieutenant Tom Perez passed away on April 22, 2021.  Tom worked multiple assignments during his career with the Department, including Patrol, Field Training, Narcotics, and Crime Prevention.  After leaving the Department, Tom got his law degree and practiced law up until January 2021.  Tom is survived by his wife, Estella, who also worked for the Department. Posted: 4/26/21

Retired Sgt. Jason Woodall #2890 wass born on September 18, 1969, and passed away on April 26, 2021. Posted: 5/6/21

Retired SJPD Sgt. Wilbur “Bill” Mitchell passed away in April 2021.

SJPD Sgt. Fred Kingsley #1625 passed on April 12, 2021. Fred is survived by his wife, Shirley. Posted: 4/12/21

We were recently informed of the passing of retired SJPD Officer Truman “Bud” Boman.  Bud retired on June 26, 2010, and passed on December 20, 2020.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara Boman.  Prior to his SJPD service, Bud served approximately 20 years in the U.S. military. Posted: 4/12/21

Retired San Jose Firefighter Gerald Van Horn passed away in April 2021. Gerald retired in November 2000. He is survived by his wife Joanna Van Horn. Posted: 4/06/21

Retired San Jose Police Sergeant Phillip J. Hada passed on January 24, 2021.  Phillip retired from SJPD on September 6, 1989. Posted: 3/26/21

Retired San Jose Firefighter John Schaar passed on January 23, 2021. John retired from the SJFD in 1985. Posted: 3/24/21

Retired San Jose police officer Charles “Chuck” Farrow passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.  He was living in Land O’Lakes, Florida, and is survived by his sister Bonnie.Posted: 3/22/21

Retired Fire Engineer Doug Biddle passed in March 2021. We do not have any further information at this time. We will notify you once any is made available. Posted: 3/15/21

It is with deep sadness to inform you of the passing of retired Fire Engineer Gary Zobrosky.  Gary is survived by his wife Judy who told the Association that Gary truly loved the Fire Department and those that he served with. Posted 3/8/21

It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of retired San Jose Fire Captain Merrill Malvini. Merrill spent most of his career at Station 14 and was 90+ years old at his passing. Condolences can be sent to his son, Mike Malvini, at 218 Farley Drive, Aptos, CA 95003. Posted 3/1/21

Retired SJFD Deputy Chief Richard “Dick” Wattenbarger passed on February 15, 2021. Dick is survived by his wife Sue. Chief Wattenbarger retired from SJFD in 1991. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make donations in the name of Dick Wattenbarger can make them to the following organizations: San Jose Fire Museum, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Posted 2/15/21

SJFD Engineer Greg Toscano passed away on February 9, 2021, following a long bout with Parkinson’s. Greg was hired on September 15, 1980, and retired on November 15, 2008. Greg is survived by his son David Toscano, Grandchild Zelda, and his seven siblings. Posted 2/9/21

Retired SJPOD Officer, Badge #1422; passed 1/23/2021.

Retired SJPD Officer, Badge #2052. Passed 1/22/2021.

Retired SJPD Sergeant, Badge #2235; passed 1/22/2021.

Former Association President and Vice President, Raymond “Jay” Wendling passed away on January 8, 2021.   A retired police officer, Jay served as Association President and Vice President during some of this organization’s difficult political battles. Click here to read more.

Fredrick “Fred” Esparza was born on 8/29/1937 and passed on January 7, 2021. Fred joined the SJPD in 1962, where he served in the Metro and Street Crimes Units among others. Fred retired from JSPD in 1994 after 33 years of service.

Retired SJPD Sgt. Bill Sims #1407 passed on January 4, 2021.