THE THIN BLUE LINE

CAPTAIN ROBERT W. WILLIAMS

BADGE 63, 96 & 757, ID 2057

SDPD 02/20/1956 - 07/08/1989

12/11/1933 - 01/05/2026

Father of Det. Sergeant David Williams (RET)

Grandfather of Ofc. Kortnie Williams

Robert “Bob” Wayne Williams, a respected Captain with the San Diego Police Department (Retired), age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 5, 2026. He was born December 11, 1933, and was a lifelong resident of the San Diego area. He was preceded in death by his parents, H. Wayne Williams and Verna Williams.

Bob dedicated his life to service—first to his country and then to his community—and was deeply devoted to his family and friends.

After attending local schools including Emerson Elementary, Memorial Jr. High, and San Diego High, he briefly studied at Brigham Young University until financial constraints led him home. In 1954, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a Corporal and Mortarman with deployments to Japan and Korea. His pride in his Marine service remained unwavering throughout his life.

In February 1956, Bob joined the San Diego Police Department. Over a 34-year career, he served in a variety of roles, from downtown nighttime walking beats to the Motor Squad—where his love of riding flourished—and ultimately rose to the rank of Captain. He played instrumental roles in forming both the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and the Air Born Law Enforcement (ABLE) unit. As Captain of the Traffic Division, he led by example, regularly riding alongside the motor squad he supervised.

A highlight of his career and one of his proudest moments was presenting the SDPD badge to his son, David Williams, in 1986, and decades later to his granddaughter Kortnie in 2019 as she graduated from the police academy—continuing the family’s legacy of service.

Following retirement, Bob and his wife Jackie committed countless hours to volunteer work with the Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, supporting fundraising and community outreach events. Bob was honored for his dedication and support of the hospital’s mission.

Bob also enjoyed traveling the country and Mexico in his RV with friends, many from the riding group he helped found: Team Endo. His love of adventure was rivaled only by his passions for westerns and “anything John Wayne.”

Above all, Bob was a devoted family man and a cherished patriarch. He provided love and guidance to his family through all of life’s challenges.

He is survived by the love of his life his wife Jackie; daughters Karen and Christie (Bill); son David (Kim); sister Shirley (Bob); grandchildren Kylie (Josear), Kortnie (Tyler), Jake, Dylan, and Kyle; great grandchildren Sebastian, Camila, and Tallac; and many relatives, nieces, nephews and dear friends whose lives he touched.

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