ASSISTANT CHIEF CHARLES M. "MIKE" RICE
BADGE 1, 42, 159 & 894, ID 1802
SDPD 11/27/1959 - 07/06/1992
12/12/1937 - 11/30/2013
THE THIN BLUE LINE
Rice, Charles Michael "Mike" 12/12/1937 ~ 11/30/2013
ALPINE -- Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend Mike Rice passed away suddenly from heart failure on November 30, 2013, at his home in Alpine, CA.
Mike gave 33 years of service to the San Diego Police Department, rising from the rank of Patrolman in 1959 to Assistant Chief in 1991. He retired in 1992, having served the City and the Police Department as a leader in a number of police supervisory and command positions.
Mike was born on December 12, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents, Charles and Zelma Rice, moved with him to Tucson, Arizona when he was a small child, where his father retired as the Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Tucson Fire Department.
Mike enjoyed life in Tucson, with his three younger sisters, Dianna, Kathie, and Dorothy Jo.
Mike was a devoted family man, married to the love of his life, Mabel Mae Parcell, for 55 years. They met and married in Tucson, Arizona in 1958, after Mike returned from a tour of duty with the United States Navy, aboard the destroyer USS Marsh.
They moved to San Diego in 1959, where Mike began his police career. Even as a rookie patrol cop in 1959, Mike had ambitions to be a leader within the Department. His strong work ethic, dedication and commanding presence certainly attributed to his successful rise through the ranks. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1966, Lieutenant in 1970, Captain in 1973, Inspector in 1978, Commander in 1980, Deputy Chief in 1986, and finally to Assistant Chief in 1991.
He always said his favorite police position was when he was a Motor Sergeant, patrolling the City on his Harley-Davidson.
Being 6' 5", he also played on the San Diego Police Department basketball team, which won several City League Championships and Police Olympic medals. Some of his children's best memories were watching their dad play basketball at Uni Gym in Balboa Park.
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1975 from Chapman College and completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration from La Verne College in 1977.
As a Police Captain, he also attended and successfully completed the FBI National Academy, graduating with the 109th class in 1977.
Mike and Mabel traveled in retirement in their RV, enjoyed cruise ship trips, and saw much of the country.
They lived for many years in Jackson, Missouri, before moving back to Alpine in 2010.
Mike was active in the San Diego Lions Club and the Jackson Optimists Club. He enjoyed golfing and bowling in organized leagues with Mabel.
During his career and played many rounds of golf with his department buddies at Torrey Pines and Singing Hills.
Mike is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mabel; by his sisters Dianna Hall and Kathie Giarnieri; by his son, Charles Michael Rice, Jr., his wife Janice, grandchildren Sondra and John; by his son, Joseph Rice, his wife Leslyn, grandchildren Joseph and Marilyn; and his daughter, Leslie Rice Albrecht, her husband, Steve Albrecht, and grandchildren Matthew and Carly.
Mike was a big man with a bigger heart. He loved being a cop and the longtime friends he made over his career. He loved being the strong, generous, and supportive leader of his family. He loved his grandkids, valued his friendships, and adored his wife. Although he will be missed, his light continues to shine on the people that knew and loved him too.
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