Thomas J. Cahill
This article possibly contains original research. (October 2008) |
Thomas J. Cahill | |
---|---|
Chicago, Illinois | |
Died | October 12, 2002 | (aged 92)
Other names | Tom |
Police career | |
Department | San Francisco Police Department |
Service years | 1942โ1970 |
Rank | Chief: 1958โ1970 |
Thomas J. Cahill (June 8, 1910 โ October 12, 2002) was the chief of police of
Early life
Cahill was born June 8, 1910, on Montana Street on the North Side of Chicago. His family returned to County Kilkenny, Ireland, when he was a child, and Cahill returned to San Francisco in 1930.[1]
Cahill was educated at Callan Christian Boys School and studied to become a teacher at Ring College in Dungarvan, Ireland[2] and received the school's Gold Ring Award, granted only to student who could speak, read and write Gaelic. However, after returning to San Francisco at 19, Cahill, a red-headed Irishman, could find little work and drove for the City Ice company. He then needed a good job to help support his new wife, Margaret Smythe (he had married her in San Francisco in 1938). He chose the profession of law enforcement, entered the police department as a recruit, and graduated from the San Francisco police academy in July 1942.[1]
Law enforcement career
His first assignment was as a beat patrolman attached to the
Cahill was hailed at the time of his appointment as SFPD chief by Mayor George Christopher.
On a national level, Cahill was one of the more well-known city police chiefs. He was the only police chief to be selected by
Cahill retired from the force on February 4, 1970, after a request from Mayor Joseph Alioto, who later appointed Alfred Nelder as San Francisco Police Chief. Alioto felt Cahill was too "rigid" and "old fashioned" for law enforcement in 1970s San Francisco. After Cahill's retirement, he became chief of security for Pac Bell in San Francisco until July 1, 1975, shortly after he reached the mandatory retirement age. He also won a position on the San Francisco Charter Revision Committee.[2]
Later life
In 1994, San Francisco honored Cahill by renaming the Hall of Justice in San Francisco as the Thomas J. Cahill Hall of Justice.[4]
In 2000, he married 80-year-old Elizabeth Wright, a longtime friend and the widow of a former Fremont police chief, Clinton Wright.[3]
He died of congestive heart failure on October 12, 2002, at 92[3] in Lake County at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Clearlake Park, California. He was survived by his third wife, Elizabeth (Wright), four children (Thomas, Jr., John, Edmond, and Elizabeth)[2] and many grandchildren.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Chief Thomas J.Cahill: A Life In Review". San Francisco Police Department., Retrieved 2013-06-03.
- ^ a b c "Finding Aid to the Thomas J. Cahill Papers, 1936-2002 (bulk 1954-1995)". Online Archive of California., Retrieved 2013-06-03.
- ^ a b c Hendricks, Tyche; Fagan, Kevin (October 13, 2002). "Ex-S.F. Police Chief Thomas Cahill dies". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
- ^ Nancy Pelosi (June 7, 2001). "Tribute To San Francisco Police Chief, Thomas Cahill". Capitol Words, volume 147, number 78 pages e1051-e1052., Retrieved 2013-06-03.