Oceanside’s Chief of Police Dies at 59

Oceanside Police Chief Robert B. Smith died Sunday afternoon of bone cancer. He was 59.

Smith, a 24-year veteran of the department, was appointed chief just over a year ago. It was shortly after his appointment in March, 1987, that Smith’s illness was diagnosed.

After chemotherapy treatments, Smith was on the job sporadically during the past year as he battled the disease, police spokesman William Krunglevich said. Smith was being treated as an outpatient and was home in Oceanside when he died, Krunglevich said.

“He was a good cop,” Krunglevich said, reflecting on his 18 years of work with Smith. “It’s been a very enjoyable association.” Former department public information officer Tom Bussey said Smith was “definitely the policeman’s police chief.”

Smith is survived by his wife, Barbara Bishop Smith, who is Oceanside’s city clerk. The couple was married last July, just weeks before Smith learned he had cancer.

Acting Chief Cmdr. Michael Shirley will continue to head the department until a new chief is appointed.

Smith took the helm of the department after the retirement of Laurence Marshall, who had been chief for five years.

Smith joined the Oceanside police as a beat officer in 1964 and worked his way up through the ranks. He was named commander in charge of investigations in 1986.

Smith had earned a state teaching credential in police science and had attended the FBI academy for police officers.