Santa Clara Police Chief To Retire After 4-decade Stint

SANTA CLARA, CA — Police Chief Michael Sellers must have had a ball working in law enforcement — and in particular in this growing Silicon Valley city.

He stayed on for over four decades, working his way up the ranks.

But as Sellers knows better than anyone, all things come to an end — including the sweets that tempt him at the police station.

"I like cookies," he told Patch, referring to a special delivery a week ago from a resident wishing him well in his pending retirement. She delivered lemon bars and chocolate chip cookies to the renowned, respected chief.

Sellers last day is Aug. 30. But he's had quite the journey.

As recently as a few weeks ago, the chief threw out the first pitch at a San Jose Giants home stand game that honored first responders.

"It was a strike," he declared.

At age 58, Sellers' career in Santa Clara started out as a police cadet in 1978 when disco hit the American scene. He danced with the idea of going all the way in law enforcement, becoming a police officer in 1985. Through the years, he has witnessed many incidents — some harder to stomach than others.

Those who know him won't see him on a motorcycle.

"Unfortunately, I've seen a large number of motorcycle accidents," he said. "I'll stick to driving a vehicle with four wheels."

The hardest calls and cases have involved children.

"Those are always the ones that got to me," he said.

Sellers plans on spending more time with his own children and grandchildren, along with traveling with his wife and mother. The chief also insisted he wants to give back in some way.

He will be missed, according to Capt. Wahid Kazem.

"Absolutely he will be missed. He's been here for four decades and in a leadership position. Whenever you have that, and that person retires, it becomes nostalgic for members of the department to see him go off," Kazem said.