Former San Diego Police Chief Wesley Sharp Dies at 93

Wesley S. Sharp, whose personal warmth and quiet but forceful leadership marked his tenure as San Diego’s police chief in the mid-1960s, has died. He was 93.

Sharp, who rose from beat officer to chief in a career that spanned 37 years with the San Diego Police Department, died Tuesday of congestive heart failure at Sharp Knollwood Convalescent Hospital in San Diego.

He served as police chief from 1962 to 1968 and as deputy chief for 14 years before that.

Nearly all the current top managers of the department were hired by Sharp, and they told tales Wednesday that touched on his personable nature--especially the pizza parties he would throw twice a year for current and former cops.

“He was the kind of guy who remembered you after he hired you,” Executive Assistant Chief Norm Stamper said. “On many occasions when I was a beat cop in patrol, and he was the chief, he would call me by name. I was just very impressed by that.”

“Not once did I hear anybody in the organization speak ill of the man. He was very widely respected,” Stamper said.

Bob Burgreen, the current chief, called Sharp a “unique man in that he chose to keep a low profile in the community.”

“He was a behind-the-scenes guy,” Burgreen said. “But in a time of changing police work, he was one tough manager. Nobody fooled with Wes Sharp inside the organization, and he ruled with an iron first.”

Sharp was born in Los Angeles. His family moved to San Diego when he was young, and he graduated from San Diego High School.

After Army service, he worked at Standard Oil for several years before joining the police force in 1931. In 1948, he was appointed deputy chief. In 1962, at age 63, he was named chief.

Under his watch, the department intensified its training and community relations activities, several officers said Wednesday.

Sharp is survived by his wife, Julia; daughter, Norma Steck; son, Stanley Sharp; three step-daughters; four grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is set for Monday at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Bay Park.