DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT HENRY G. "HANK" KELLY

BADGE 20, 48, 90 & 804, ID 1498

SDPD 08/12/1957 - 1985 

05/18/1933- 12/25/2011

KELLEY, HANK (HENRY G.) May 18, 1933 to Dec. 25, 2011 Hank was born to Pauline and Mark Kelley in Waltham, MA.

He grew up in Watertown, MA and graduated from Watertown High School.  He served in the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class for 4 years.

Upon discharge, Hank married the lovely Marion Wedge of Somerville, MA and they honeymooned while driving to California to start his new job at Hughes Aircraft.

In August 1957, Hank joined the San Diego Police Department and served for the next 28 years in a variety of assignments.

He was promoted to Sergeant and retired as Lieutenant and Adjutant to the Chief of Police.  After attending hostage negotiation classes in Virginia, Hank was instrumental in developing the Department's Hostage Negotiation Team and was responsible for its success.  During his time in the department, he received an AA degree, a BA degree as well as his teaching credential.

Hank taught Criminal Justice for over 30 years at local colleges, military bases and aboard naval vessels.  As his last assignment at sea in 2006, he was privileged to go on the maiden voyage of the USS Ronald Reagan ending up in the Persian Gulf.  For almost two months, he taught classes in Criminal Justice and Criminal Law aboard ship.  Being in this part of the world, he jumped at the chance to take several days in Bahrain and toured to the border of Saudi Arabia.

Upon retirement, Hank went to work for the Department of Defense as a Safety Officer among other duties.  He recited a special version of Old Glory accompanied by Navy bands at a multitude of retirements and venues.

Hank was involved in his church, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, for more than 50 years and served as President and Chairman of several organizations and committees.  He also served as an usher and lector at Masses.  He was named a Knight of Saint Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II for his dedication to the Church.

Hank became a member and eventually a President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.  He actively participated in the organization for some 30 years where he met and enjoyed many of his life-long friends.

The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and black tie affair were among his favorite events. Marion's career as a cruise/travel agent gave them the opportunity to travel all over the world for decades. He was lucky enough to have visited every continent with the exception of Antarctica. His favorite vacations always included snorkeling, and he did in many exotic locales.  He loved golf and played at the Admiral Baker course.  He volunteered at Admiral Baker for over 10 years.

Hank did more volunteer work ushering at several theatres including the La Jolla Playhouse, Horton Plaza, Lambs and the San Diego Light Opera. Dearest to his heart were the three theatres at the Old Globe and all the people he worked with.

Hank left us peacefully after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife of almost 55 years Marion, his son Michael, his daughter Michelle, and her husband Michael Pierson. Also, the highlights of his last many years, grandson Jordan R. Kelley Pierson and granddaughter Haley Brooke Pierson. He leaves his sister Gloria and her husband Rich Greenough and sister-in-law Barbara Kelley.

He is survived by many sisters and brothers in law and a multitude of nieces and nephews, mostly in the Massachusetts area. Hank loved his family, his church, his country and traveling the world.

THE THIN BLUE LINE

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