DETECTIVE SERGEANT JOHN M. HUGHES Jr.

BADGE 117 & 169

SDPD 05/01/1941 - 04/301961

04/28/1915 - 01/09/1977

THE THIN BLUE LINE

John Michael Hughes Jr. was born on April 28, 1915, in St. Paul Minnesota. He moved to San Diego with his parents and 3 sisters in 1926. John attended St. Augustine High School and graduated from San Diego High School in 1933.

He rode the rails for almost a year in the heart of the Depression visiting 47 states. He returned to San Diego where he worked for a number of jobs including circulation manager of the San Diego Sun newspaper, theatre manager and later as a street car conductor for the San Diego Electric Railway.

John married Edith Strom in June of 1937 and joined the San Diego Police Department in May 1941, initially serving as a patrolman and detective in the Juvenile Division.  He went back into uniform after being promoted to sergeant then transferred to the Detective Bureau where he worked in Homicide until his retirement in 1961.

John was a member of the SDPD Pistol Team, served as President of PORAC, taught Police Science at San Diego City College and acted as the Department’s liaison with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego for many years.

After retirement from the Police Department, John taught at Point Loma High School for 10 years and operated a Detective Agency.  He was an avid golfer.  John suffered a fatal heart attack on the 9th tee at Torrey Pines South, playing the game he loved and passed away on January 9, 1977.

Survived by his wife Edith, son Michael, daughter Patricia and six grandchildren. His funeral was held at All Hallows Catholic Church in La Jolla.

Basic information is provided as a courtesy and is obtained from a variety of sources including public data, museum files and or other mediums.  While the San Diego Police Historical Association strives for accuracy, there can be issues beyond our control which renders us unable to attest to the veracity of what is presented. More specific information may be available if research is conducted.  Research is done at a cost of $50 per hour with no assurances of the outcome.  For additional info please contact us.