With profound sadness, Sheriff Bill Gore announced the passing of Sheriff Bill Kolender. He died on October 6th after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was elected the 28th Sheriff of San Diego County in 1994. He was re-elected to the post three times and retired in 2009.
Sheriff Gore says, " Recognized wherever he went in San Diego, Sheriff Kolender seemed, in many respects, larger than life. Yet, what we will remember most about him will be his personal touch. When a deputy was injured, he could be counted on to be standing at the hospital bed. During his days as Chief, and then Sheriff, he was called upon to deliver news a family never wants to hear – that their loved one was killed in the line of duty. He often reflected it was the hardest thing he ever did. He cared deeply for the frontline deputies and officers who worked for him and loved them as family. Thus, for many of us, this loss is deeply personal. It certainly is for me, as he has been a close friend of my family for many years. He delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Assistant Police Chief William D. Gore, my father."
In lieu of flowers, remembrances for Sheriff Kolender may be made to the Honorary Deputy Sheriff's Association - William B. Kolender Museum sdchdsa.org/ or the Alzheimer's Association, alz.org/sandiego/.
