Scot Smithee , Gilroy ’ s New Chief of Police
Superheroes are fictional , but real heroes do exit
Written By Kimberly Ewertz
In 2004 , Smithee and his wife Brenda were vacationing in Hawaii . On a return trip to Maui their catamaran overturned . Seven people including his wife were trapped beneath the capsized boat .
Smithee ’ s quick thinking and selflessness resulted in the successful rescue of every passenger .
“ I think being in this business long enough you learn if you get in panic mode or you start being reactionary that you just lost the advantage ,” Smithee said . ” You ’ ve got to stay calm .”
For his heroic efforts , Smithee was presented with the U . S . Coast Guard ’ s highest lifesaving medal , the Gold Lifesaving Award .
“ I tend to think about other people before myself , that is just a part of who I am ,” he said .
According to his wife of 16 years that isn ’ t his only outstanding trait . “ I think that the way he treats people is very positive and it tends to be returned the same way . There ’ s a mutual respect . He ’ s also brilliant . He ’ s one of those people that is really good at everything , except that he ’ s terrible at roller skating , and he cannot sing ,” Brenda said .
A native Californian , Smithee was born and raised in Redwood City . He moved with his parents to Gilroy in 1983 . He began his career with the Gilroy Police Department as a reserve police officer , a volunteer who assists regular officers .
Former Gilroy Police Chief , Gregg Giusiana , has been the single biggest influence in Smithee ’ s career . Guisiana
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SCOT SMITHEE .
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 gmhtoday . com