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San Anselmo, CA - 06/22/2018. It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Retired San Anselmo Police Chief Bernard “Bernie” Del Santo. Chief Del Santo passed away on June 19th at his home in Fairfax after a long battle with cancer. Chief Del Santo is survived by his sons Leo (Renee) and Tony (Cara), grandchildren Christopher, Taylor, and Brittany (Jeff); his brother Bob (Sharon), nephews Michael (Erika), Raymond, and great nephew Collin; and by his partner of many years Elizabeth McGrady, and her children Leigh and Joey. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved dog Eddie.

Chief Del Santo was born November 10, 1938 at Ross Hospital and grew up in San Rafael. He was a graduate of St. Raphael’s Grammar School and Marin Catholic High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to Naval Boot Camp in San Diego but suffered an injury that caused him to be discharged from training. He returned home to Marin and began his law enforcement career in 1962, when he joined the San Anselmo Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer. Two years later, he was hired full-time and sent to the San Francisco Police Academy.

Chief Del Santo advanced through the ranks, serving as a Traffic Officer, Inspector Sergeant, and Captain. In 1979, he was named Chief of Police and headed the department for 20 years, until his retirement in 1999. Chief Del Santo had many accomplishments during his long career: he created a regional traffic enforcement team in the Ross Valley and then received the very first “multi-city” enforcement grant from the State of California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS); he taught defensive tactics classes for women at Isabelle Cook School; and he served two years as Chief of the Marin County Narcotics Task Force. Chief Del Santo was a longtime member of the California Police Chiefs Association, regularly attending meetings and keeping in contact with his fellow retired Chiefs. He was described by his peers as extremely loyal to his employees and a very hard-working man.

Chief Del Santo was a fixture in the community, not only during his career but also in retirement. He coached Little League in Fairfax for many years and was a lifelong member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Chapter 307. He was also a long-time member of the International Footprint Association (Footprinters), serving as both a past President and a Director of Chapter 15. He served as Chair of the Footprinters annual crab feed and would always make his mother’s delicious pasta sauce for the event.

A Rosary and Vigil service will be held on Wednesday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Monte’s Chapel of the Hills, 330 Red Hill Avenue, San Anselmo. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 28, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael. Interment at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in San Rafael will be private. The Rosary and funeral Mass are open to the public.