THE THIN BLUE LINE

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAYNE A. GRITTON

BADGE 157 & 931, ID 1378

SDPD 07/07/1961 - 07/11/1997

04/10/1935 - 04/30/2020

Wayne Alan Gritton, of San Diego California, went to be with the Lord on May 1, 2020. 

Born in 1935,  Wayne forewent multiple football scholarships to support his country and join the United States  Army in 1953 as an intelligence officer in Korea.

Wayne returned to the states and joined the San Diego City Police Department in 1961.  In 1997, he retired as Detective Sargent in the Western Division.  As part of Narcotics Task Force, Wayne was instrumental in establishing the National K9 Narcotics unit for Airport Security and Undercover High School Narcotics Task Force.  

Wayne received numerous commendations over the years and was loved by many at the SDPD. He was known as the “Best Detective Sargent”, someone who “impacted my life and career”, “raised me from a pup”, he taught me “how to investigate and be patient” and told so many, “there is life after the [SD] Police Department”.

Those who knew and loved him referred to him as “Gritts” or “True Grit” as a man of integrity and unconditional love for his family, fellow police officer’s, neighbor’s and those who he gave a hand to.

He loved being a Dad and “Pop Pop Wayne”. It meant the world to him. He let his grandkids dress him up, cover him in stuffed animals, play tea parties and ball. He always had an open door for all his children to lend an ear or cheer on their successes.

He fought his bravest battle against Frontotemporal Dementia. His love and devotion to his wife Eileen was with him to the end. He had her read his favorite Psalm 91 each night. Heaven opened up and welcomed Wayne A. Gritton with a smile on his face to greet the King…Jesus!

Thank you all for your love, support and beautiful memories.  Wayne, my precious soulmate, you will be missed and forever with us in our hearts. 

Wayne Gritton is survived by his wife of 19 years Eileen Gritton; daughter’s Lisa Gritton Sweesy and Vicki Gritton Klein; blended family Kris Michell, John Paul Behra, Tim Behra, Jeannie Kalley, Ted Behra , Shari Futas and Leanne Packard, 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 

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