Former SAPD Police Chief Raymond C. Davis has passed away

From: SAPD Police Chief David Valentin

Subject: Passing of Retired SAPD CHIEF RAY DAVIS #246

It is with sadness that I share with everyone the passing today of Retired Chief of Police Raymond C. Davis.
Chief Davis retired from the Santa Ana Police Department in 1987 (1973-1987). Chief Davis was an exceptional leader and pioneer in community policing strategies, when this philosophy was in its infancy in the 1970’s.

Chief Davis led our Department to an unprecedented reduction in crime, revolutionized our Department’s service which was based on treating everyone equally and along the way, brought Statewide and National recognition to the Santa Ana Police Department as a premier law enforcement organization. Chief Davis centered his policing strategies on the importance of building and sustaining community trust, harnessing the value of community input; while concurrently holding everyone accountable – the Department and the community.

I personally visited with Chief Davis’ wife and daughter today at their home in Santa Ana to extend our Department’s condolences for their loss and genuinely express our appreciation for the leader that had done so much for our Department.

The family was overwhelmed with appreciation and shared with me the love, honor and respect that both they and especially Chief Davis had for our Department every day of his living life.

I also expressed to the Davis Family that our proud Department is continuing the good work today he initiated so long ago – in treating everyone with dignity and respect, and protecting those that can’t protect themselves.

Respectfully,

& in Honor of CHIEF RAY DAVIS,

DAVID VALENTIN
Chief of Police
Santa Ana Police Department

Funeral Services for Capt. Davis

Brown Colonial Mortuary
204 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana

April 4, Wednesday, viewing from 1000 -1100 hours

Service from 1100-1200 hours

1200 hours – Police flag folding and Honor Guard presentations

A reception will take place following mortuary services at Avila’s El Ranchito, 2201 E. 1st Street, Santa Ana.

Gravesite services will be conducted in Fentress County, Tennessee at a later date.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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