Retiring Sheriff Cites Ulcers, Timing : Gillespie Says He Decided to Quit While ‘at the Top of My Game’

Ventura County Sheriff John Gillespie said Wednesday that he decided to retire because of two ulcers and a desire to leave office while he is still “at the top of my game.”

Gillespie, back in his office for the first time since his early retirement was disclosed last week, added that he is thinking of building a house on the Oregon coast and writing a book to be titled “The Funny Side of the Badge.”

“Sheriff John,” as many of his deputies know him, expressed some regrets that his career as sheriff ended in a year when the image of law enforcement was tarnished by the Rodney G. King beating case.

He said he did not want to risk ending his career on a sour note, such as befell former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates during his final cataclysmic days in office.

“There’s a good example of the way nobody should have to end an illustrious career,” Gillespie said.

If Gates is an extreme example, Gillespie made clear that there are plenty of other people he has known in law enforcement who did not bite the bullet and retire when they should have, and that their careers ended under a cloud.

“I’ve seen way too many colleagues stay way too long,” he said. “I think I’m kinda there right now. I don’t want to get up for any more battles.”

Gillespie, in discussing why he announced in a letter to his deputies that he was stepping down at the end of this year, said his decision had absolutely nothing to do with any loss of possible benefits, as some county officials suggested.

“I’ve been talking about this for a year with (Chief Administrative Officer) Richard Wittenberg and members of the Board of Supervisors,” he said.

The supervisors on Tuesday voted to reduce a bonus that provided seven extra weeks of pay to elected officials, including Gillespie.

Gillespie, 53, who returned from a family get-together in Portland, Ore., Tuesday night, said he had contemplated continuing in office for another year, but that he finally decided to take the advice of his doctor and his family.

He disclosed that tests have shown that he has two ulcers, “all stimulated by stress. The stress has become extremely heavy. Maybe I’ve noticed it more in recent years.”

Contributing to the stress, he said, has been the state and local government fiscal crisis that affects his agency’s operations.

But the worldwide negative publicity fallout from the Rodney King trial in Simi Valley hurt him more than any financial decision by a lawmaker, he said.

“It was just such a black eye for the profession of law enforcement all over California,” he said. “To host that trial in this county, I hated that.

“It hurt the county because of the way it was portrayed. Those kind of things hurt. The incident was traumatic.”

Gillespie is chairman of the California Sheriffs’ Assn., and he said it was obvious among his colleagues throughout the state that the videotaped King beating and subsequent trial “was a black eye for the profession of law enforcement all over California.

“We are all brothers behind the badge.”

Gillespie, a native of Idaho, began his law enforcement career with the Claremont Police Department. On Wednesday, he reflected that it could have been a very short career.

While Gillespie was taking a coffee break on the dawn shift in Claremont, a young man walked in and brandished a shotgun during a holdup attempt, he recounted. Gillespie drew his weapon and the two stood frozen facing each other.

“I thought I might die,” he said. “And I thought he might die too. I told him I was going to pull the trigger by the count of three. He lowered the shotgun when I got to two.”

It was only then, he said, that he discovered that the shotgun “was a toy.”

As an afterthought, he added: “I’m no hero.”

Gillespie eventually became chief of the Ojai Police Department and, in 1975, became an undersheriff in the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. He was appointed sheriff in 1984 and, since then, has been elected twice to that position.

The decision to retire did not come easily, Gillespie made clear. It has apparently been on his mind for some time and involved some soul-searching.

Gillespie said he has been taking medicine for his ulcer condition and listening for three years to his doctor tell him, “Take a lot of time off, get away a lot.”

Finally, three weeks ago at his Ojai home, he said he huddled with his wife, Carol, and his four grown children.

“We talked it over and it was unanimous,” he said. “I guess maybe they love me. They knew I’d been hurting somewhat.”

Gillespie said he is proud of his legacy.

“I’m most proud of the fact that this is the best department I’ve ever encountered,” he said. “It’s because of extreme professionalism.”

Also, he said, he is proud that Ventura County has a reputation as one of the safest areas in the state. Much of it, he said, has to do with the attitude of the residents as well as the professionalism of his deputies.

“I’d like to thank the citizens for their assistance, which has been a lot,” he said. “I have been supported by the citizens of Ventura County way beyond my wildest expectations.

“The citizenry supports this agency more than any agency I know of. That really counts.”

Unlike many of his colleagues in law enforcement who have retired and become consultants or run for public office, Gillespie said that is definitely not in the cards for him.

“I’m going to get as far away from politicians and things law enforcement as I can,” he said. “I’m going to do a lifestyle change, but I’m not sure what that will be.”

One of his projects will surely be the penning of his “Funny Side of the Badge” biography, he said. But beyond that, he said, his plans are indefinite.

Part of the lifestyle change could involve a move to Oregon, he hinted.

Gillespie owns three acres of undeveloped ocean view land on the Oregon coast. He suggested that he and his wife might like to build on it and live there at least on a part-time basis.

Looking back on his career, he said he has “no misgivings.”

“If I had to choose a profession, I would choose exactly the one I was in.”