{"id":343670,"date":"2026-06-03T00:10:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/343670\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T00:10:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:10:15","slug":"frank-vasquez-1935-2026-he-listened-to-santa-clara-and-gave-it-everything-he-had","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/343670\/","title":{"rendered":"Frank Vasquez (1935-2026): He Listened to Santa Clara \u2014 and Gave It Everything He Had"},"content":{"rendered":"

Santa Clara recently lost a legend: Frank Vasquez, the longest-serving officer in the history of the Santa Clara Police Department. With nearly 36 years of service, Vasquez held the position of chief from 1988 to 1994. He passed away on May 18, 2026 from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis at the age of 91.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a true listener without being judgmental,\u201d said Vasquez\u2019s daughter, Renee Kee. This quality was at the core of the community\u2019s respect and affection for him. \u201cHe would listen to anybody and listen with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those who worked alongside him attest to his openness and responsiveness. Bernadette DeSouza, who worked at the department during the late 1960s, reflected, \u201cHe was absolutely wonderful to work for. He was very easy to talk to. When I got promoted from the city clerk\u2019s office, he took the time to explain things to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Born in Santa Clara, Vasquez attended local schools and graduated from Santa Clara High School, where he is honored in the school\u2019s Hall of Fame. He went on to graduate from the F.B.I. National Police Academy.<\/p>\n

Beyond his law enforcement work, Vasquez served as president of the Santa Clara Police Association, president of Santa Clara West Rotary, board member of the Triton Museum, parish council member at St. Mark\u2019s Episcopal Church, chair of the Santa Clara County Police Chiefs Association, and on Governor George Deukmejian\u2019s Drug Task Force, as well as the YMCA board. He was also a co-founder and long-time member of the Santa Clara Spanish Heritage Society.<\/p>\n

His path to the police force began with a chance encounter. While working at his brother\u2019s gas station, Vasquez was approached by then-police chief Manny Ferguson, who asked, \u201cWhen are you coming to work?\u201d According to Kee, it was a conversation they\u2019d likely had before. This encounter took place around 1959, and Vasquez never looked back.<\/p>\n

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Listening was also central to Vasquez\u2019s philosophy in police work. \u201cOne of the changes he made,\u201d Kee stated, \u201cwas having officers walk through shopping centers to get to know people. He wanted officers to be familiar with the community so they could work more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Police Chief Mike Sellers, remembers his time in the department during Vasquez\u2019s leadership. \u201cWhenever he saw you, he always remembered you \u2014 not just your name, but your history,\u201d said Sellers. He also highlighted Vasquez\u2019s memorable handshake: \u201cWhenever he met you or saw you, he\u2019d always come over and give you that strong, firm handshake.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Vasquez, that handshake said what he always tried to show: that you mattered, and that he was paying attention. Vasquez was preceded in death by his daughter, Rosaine. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, also named Rosaine; son Frank Vasquez; daughter Renee Kee; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.<\/p>\n

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