ASSISTANT CHIEF MICHAEL SGOBBA
BADGES 11, 47, 133
SDPD 06/01/1951 - 07/1977
10/23/1925- 11/20/2011
Michael Sgobba, 86, of San Diego, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011, at LakeView Home in La Mesa, CA. Born in Quincy, MA, Michael settled in San Diego after his service in the United States Navy from 1943-1950, and has lived in San Diego for the past 61 years, with over 45 years of service to the community as a law enforcement officer and leader.
He joined the San Diego Police Department in 1951, ascended rapidly through the ranks, and was appointed Assistant Chief of Police in 1973. In July 1977, after more than 26 years of service, he retired from the Police Department, and was appointed by the Judges of the Municipal Court as Marshal of San Diego County.
Michael served as Marshal for 19 years, from 1977 to his retirement from the Department in 1996.
As Marshal, Michael was widely recognized as a dynamic and effective leader, building a strong, unified Marshal's organization well-respected locally and throughout the state, and earning the admiration of his employees, the judiciary, and colleagues across the criminal justice community.
After retiring from the Marshal's Department, Michael served as Executive Director of the San Diego County Intertribal Gaming Regulatory Commission.
While at the Police Department, Michael attended the FBI National Academy, receiving the Honor Graduate Award at its 91st Session, and earned two Bachelors degrees from San Diego State University - a Bachelors of Vocational Education, and a Bachelors of Science, with Highest Honors and Distinction in Criminal Justice Administration.
He taught courses at San Diego State in Constitutional Law and Law Enforcement Administration as he completed his graduate studies, and was awarded a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1975.
Halfway through a Doctoral studies program in Leadership and Human Behavior at United States International University, Michael was appointed County Marshal, and chose to leave the Doctoral program to continue his service to the San Diego law enforcement community.
Michael was deeply committed to the criminal justice community, including memberships in the California Peace Officers Association, Marshal's Association of California, American Society for Public Administration, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and San Diego Council Boy Scouts of America.
Michael was an equally devoted and consummate husband, father, and family man; pre-deceased by his first wife of 29 years, Gladys Sgobba, he leaves his loving wife of 33 years, Anita Sgobba; five children, Frank Michael Sgobba, and wife Margie of Port Orchard, WA, Wendy Krosky, and husband Michael of Pine Valley, CA, Deborah Shepard of San Diego, CA, Larry Sgobba of San Diego, CA, and Theresa Sgobba, of Brooklyn, NY; sister Ida Reed of Brain-tree, MA; seven grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
THE THIN BLUE LINE
Promoted to Sergeant 02/07/1958
Promoted to Lieutenant 01/19/1962
Promoted to Captain 11/01/1965
Promoted to Inspector 12/12/1969
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