Former Sheriff Bill Kolender, who served 13 years as Chief of the San Diego Police Department and 14 years as Sheriff of San Diego County, died Tuesday morning after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
“He was just such a wonderful human being. He was a giant in law enforcement,” District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis told NBC7 on Thursday. “One of the things he was known for saying was ‘take your job seriously not yourself.”
Kolender began his career in 1956 as a San Diego Police Officer, and in 1970, he was appointed Chief of the SDPD. Kolender was elected the 28th Sheriff of San Diego County in 1994 and was sworn into office in 1995. He was re-elected as Sheriff three times after that, in 1998, 2002 and 2006 eventually retiring in 2009.
“He was one of my mentors. I learned so much from him…He taught me a lot about leadership and compassion and people. He truly loved people.”
Dumanis said everyone who knew Kolender has a story about him. She said he had a great sense of humor and loved to poke fun at himself.
“He used to carry around those Sheriff’s pins that had the badge on it. He went to visit my dad before he died in the hospital and he took the pin and pinned it on his bathrobe and that made such a difference to my dad and to my mom and to my family,” Dumanis said. “I have nothing but wonderful memories about him…and my heart goes out to…the family.”
