Sunday, March 15, 2015

Chief Frank Benaderet Died March 3, 2015

 

Frank Benaderet

Frank's obituary appears in the Marin IJ.  Click here to read his obituary.

Below is the Eulogy delivered by Gene Pennington, San Rafael Police Captain, Retired.  Given on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Frank’s Memorial Service held at St. Rafael’s Church, 1100 Fifth Ave., San Rafael.

I’d like to share with you a little bit of Frank’s journey. Frank was born February 13, 1938, San Francisco and died March 3, 2015, at his San Rafael home.

Frank’s parents were Robert Jack Benaderet and Helen Agnes Anzenberger.

Frank and Helen were married September 28, 1955 and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. Frank’s children are Bill Benaderet, Frank Benaderet, Jr. and Rick Benaderet. His grandchildren are Jennifer, Debra, Francis III (Buddy), Nicola and Carissa Benaderet.

Frank and Helen’s extended family lives in Sacramento. Frank, Helen and their children have shared many great times and memories with them over the years.

Frank worked as a milk man at Golden State Dairy in SF; Kaiser, SF; Palo Alto PD as a Patrolman and a Sergeant; Stanford PD as a Captain; Pinole PD as Chief of Police; San Rafael PD as Chief of Police from 1976 to 1981 (he was the ninth of sixteen Police Chiefs who have served the City of San Rafael); World Savings and Loan responsible for their security services; Wells Fargo, Fraud Investigations and Vice President of Security when he retired from Wells Fargo Bank in 2003.

Frank lived in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Pinole and San Rafael.

Community Organizations

Palo Alto & San Rafael Little League; District 3 Big League Baseball; San Rafael High School Boosters; Marin County Police Chief’s Association; International Footprinters, Local #15; Marin Evening Rotary (serving as President in 2004 & 2005); and Sons In Retirement Society (SIRS).

For many years he represented California District 3 as our Big League Representative. He loved working with the young men who played baseball and was a great mentor and builder of character for the young athletes.

He helped start our PAL program in 1980 and watched it grow to include several different activities such as baseball, football, boxing, self-defense classes, music and dancing. He helped by allowing some Officers to participate as part of their work schedule and supporting us in many other ways.

Education

Frank attended Washington High School, San Francisco; AA Degree Foothill College; BA Degree San Francisco State; Master in Public Administration University of Southern California; Life Time Teaching Credential, State of California; Teacher at Golden Gate University

Words which describe Frank that I heard while talking with his friends, family and SRPD Retirees

Progressive; Good; Honorable; Caring; Intelligent; Teacher; Mentor; Humorous; Duty; Exceptional; Father; Friend

Law Enforcement Career

Frank started his law enforcement career with Palo Alto PD, he was a Patrol Officer, a Motor Officer, a Juvenile Officer and a Sergeant.

One of the things he was very proud of was his appointment to command a special unit to handle riots on the campus of Stanford University. The unit was involved in several conflicts with protestors and agitators at Stanford and in the City of Palo Alto. During these conflicts, several of Frank’s men were severely injured by flying objects which included everything from bricks, stones, bottles and even typewriters thrown from office windows.

Frank applied for an emergency grant and obtained funds to buy his unit protective gear and portable video cameras. This was long before the high tech protective gear you see worn by police officers today. Frank worked with some local sporting goods stores and bought catcher’s masks, chest protectors, shin guards and football arm pads and hockey shoulder pads and used the helmets the Palo Alto PD had purchased a number of years earlier. While the unit didn’t look like today’s riot police, the protective gear worked and the unit was able to effectively and safely carry out their missions.

Frank was also one of the first in Law Enforcement to use video cameras to record the demonstrations and riots.

Frank established a good relationship with the students at Stanford by talking with them about their concerns and intentions. He worked with them but they knew that if it was needed, his special unit would be there to help keep the peace.

He started a rape crisis hot line in Palo Alto and volunteered many hours of his off duty time.

Accomplishments at SRPD

At SRPD, he started the Youth Services Bureau, the first in Marin County. The Bureau had a Youth Services Officer and a licensed Family and Marriage Counselor assigned. In addition to providing personal contact with children in 5th through 8th grades, the Bureau worked on campus at both high schools and were frequent guest teachers at classes. The Diversion program cited juveniles to our Youth Service Counselor by arresting Officers when the situation allowed. This provided the offending juvenile with counseling services and at times their parents were brought into the counseling. This program was a much better option than the juvenile going directly to Juvenile Court. The program was a tremendous success and still functions today. Many young people often approached us, and still do, to say “Thank you for the help.”

He helped start the San Rafael Police Activities League and San Rafael Police Explorer Post #303 (1st such Post in Marin). Several people from this Post went on to careers with San Rafael and with other law enforcement agencies.

He created new policies and procedures for all the specialized position (descriptions, minimum requirements, promotional testing, and rotations).

He helped with the creation of the San Rafael Police Commission and turned it into a very positive community group, much to the disappointment of the City Manager at that time.

He helped start the Marin Abused Women’s Association

He obtained two (2) California Office of Traffic Safety Grants: Traffic education and enforcement grant and a computer system to record and analyze vehicle and pedestrian accidents and traffic citations.

He started the San Rafael Police Boat program.

He was the first San Rafael Chief to officially allow semi-automatic hand guns to be carried by Officers.

He restarted the San Rafael Police Reserve Program

He volunteered at the Soup Kitchen on B Street.

He introduced a new look for patrol units: White Chevy Nova with blue strip running down the side. He also introduced racing bucket seats made by Recaro for use in the patrol cars because so many officers were having back problems with the other seats.

Several of his Command Staff went on to become Police Chiefs in other Departments. One returned to become San Rafael Chief after Frank’s retirement. Several others who were hired by Frank worked their way up through the ranks to become sergeants, lieutenants, captains and chiefs. This is a testimony to Frank’s ability to hire the best and his skill as a mentor.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Frank’s honesty and integrity. He never backed down from his duties and responsibilities as a law enforcement officer or as Chief. Even when I presented him with a case that involved several high ranking City employees and elected officials. He never hesitated in doing the right thing.

While I can’t reveal the details because some of the principals in the investigation are still alive, I can tell you that several of them eventually resigned their position with the City or failed to run again for their elective office.

As a result of the investigation, Frank was the target of several personal attacks by these principals and the media but in the end, Frank walked away with his retirement and his head held high.

Stories

I’d like to share a couple of stories about Frank.

From Chief Diana Bishop:

According to Frank and my parents, I met Frank for the first time on the way home from Stanford Hospital after being born.  My aunt and uncle (Alan and Susan's parents) were best friends with the Benaderets and my parents stopped by to introduce me to my aunt and uncle.  Frank was there and held me in his arms.

I always remembered the name Benaderet and it sounded familiar to me when I re-met Frank again in December of 2011, before starting my SRPD job.  He told me the story of the first time we met and it really touched my heart.  I wish there was a picture taken of the moment in 1961 when two future SRPD Chiefs first met!  It is a small world.

Tony Hoke:

Shortly after Chief Benaderet came to San Rafael, I was assigned to do background investigations.  During the course of the background investigations I had to meet with the Chief to advise him of what information had been learned.  During one of these meetings I had formed opinions as to the qualification of one of the candidates.  When the Chief asked me about him I said, "Can I be frank with you."  Without any hesitation the Chief said, "I be Frank, you be Tony!" I was taken aback and after a few seconds, we both began to laugh.

A couple of years ago while at a BBQ at the Pennington's house I had a chance to remind Frank of that meeting.  He just smiled as I told the story because he knew exactly what I was going to say.  And when I finished we both had another great laugh.

Walt Kosta:

Walt’s first meeting with Frank was a classic one. Walt was standing on his desk in Investigation’s office putting up his now famous Pinocchio doll hanging it from the ceiling on a string so he could pull it down when needed to challenge a person who Walt thought was lying. Frank looked puzzled for a second and then asked Walt, “What are you doing?” Walt explained the purpose of the apparatus and how it worked giving Frank a quick demonstration. Frank just shook his head, turned, mumbled something and walked away.

Tom Boyd:

I’ll be grateful forever for Frank hiring me and taking a chance. He was a “standup guy” and a mentor to me.

From Frank, Jr.:

Officer Don Rose pulled him and a friend over one evening and discovered they were in possession of beer. Don poured the beer out (common practice at that time) and called his father. The next morning, Frankie received a phone call from his Dad’s office informing him that he and his friend were to report to the Chief’s office promptly at 9:00 am. They both arrived and then were promptly “dressed down” by Frank for their actions the night before.

Frankie says he will never forget that “dressing down” and how much it influenced his behavior as a young adult.

Helen:

He loved what he did. The biggest thing for him was to help kids.

He worked hard to save or help kids who were in trouble.

He often received letters from kids he had helped thanking him for his concern and efforts.

Comments from SRPD Retirees

He was a nice guy and he lived a long and prosperous life. Rest in Peace Chief.

I am so sorry to hear of Frank passing. He was a good guy, a good police
chief, and a good friend. RIP Chief.

Sorry to hear of the Chief's passing, he was a good man.

Frank will be missed. He was the ninth of sixteen Police Chiefs who have served the City of San Rafael.

Please give our sympathy to Helen and the family. I'm so glad we all went to lunch in November.

Frank had the guts and moral clarity to take on city managers and elected officials when he saw wrongdoing. His career suffered as a result, however, he died an honest man, with the utmost respect from those of us who served with him.

Frank was always one to put duty above self. And yes, he did take some hits for doing just that. He enjoys the respect and admiration of all he led during his tenure as chief. Nothing but good memories and a sense of a real void in his passing.

Thank you for your service Frank

Your Dad will be missed. He made tremendous contributions to the field of Law Enforcement and in particular to the San Rafael Police Department. He was an exceptional man, a great Chief and one who stood tall. He was kind, loved kids and went out of his way to help others. Most of all, he was a good friend to me and my family.

In Closing

My first impression of Frank was that he was an innovative thinker and very intelligence. These impressions later proved true as we shared a journey that would span some 39 years.

Frank was very friendly and had a great sense of humor. If you ever had a meal with him at a restaurant, you were in for a show! He would tease the waiter about everything and ask many questions, especially about the menu. If the waiter had a good sense of humor and played along, Frank would ask him about items on the menu and his opinion of each. As the last person to order, Frank would decide what he wanted but no sooner did the waiter take his order that Frank would change his mind and the entire process started over! We were lucky if we got our meals in an hour!

He cared a great deal for his Department “family” and went out of his way to get to know all of them. He cared a great deal for the citizens of San Rafael and loved his community.

These last couple of years have been ones have been special. Judy and I attended a Giant’s game with Frank’s family watching from a suite. He smiled the entire time and especially when his name went up on the outfield scoreboard!

Frank loved attending social events such as the ones hosted by the Footprinters and the Rotary Club.

I was able to get him to a couple of 49er games which he thoroughly enjoyed. Frank was a fighter and always optimistic and he would overcome many obstacles to attend any family event.

His positive “can do” attitude was infectious. He used to call me and ask to take him to do some practice driving in the empty lot by the Veteran’s Auditorium. He would end his request with “Don’t tell Helen. She doesn’t know I can drive!”

He stood by his principals and insisted on fair and equal treatment of everybody when it came to law enforcement in San Rafael. He insisted the youth of our community be treated with respect and worked tirelessly to help them in any way possible.

He would never shy away from tough decisions. For example, the 12 homicides in 2 years we worked, most of them successfully solved and the criminals arrested. He backed his officers when tough decisions needed to be made, sometimes to the disappointment of a few of his Command Staff.

Frank was an honest man who resisted evil in any form he found it.

He was a great friend to me and my family. Always willing to help.

He loved his family and his community.

He will be missed.

God’s speed and rest in peace.

Pictured below:  San Rafael Police Department personnel on the steps of San Rafael City Hall.  Picture taken in 1981.  Chief Benaderet appears in the front alongside Mayor Larry Mulryan.

SRPD - Taken about 1980 - Front steps of City Hall

Pictured below, left to right:  Gene Pennington, Jeff Franzini and Frank Benaderet.  Picture was taken in 2014 at Jeff’s retirement ceremony at San Rafael City Hall.

Jeff Franzini Retirement City Council (10)

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