Dear John Thompson,

On behalf of the executive board, we  would like to thank John Thompson for his continuous dedication to the forensic community and our membership.  John Thompson has been instrumental in the development and mentorship of forensic personnel over the years.  He was a valued member of our team and his continued contributions are vital for the California State Division International Association for Identification in meeting our stated Mission, Vision and Values.  All of our organizational achievements are made possible because of your individual efforts as well as the efforts of the executive boards over your tenure.  Once again, thank you for your hard work and much dedication to our organization.  We look forward to your ongoing contributions and wish you a bright and successful future.

Sincerely,

AC Brogdon
CSDIAI President

From Historian Darrell Klasey:

Back in the late 1980’s, each member of the Executive Committee was asked to provide a brief biography so that members could “meet” their Association’s leaders.  John Thompson was 2nd Vice President at the time, and here are his words from the November, 1989, California Identification Digest:

“I have over 23 years of law enforcement experience with city and county agencies within California.  Most of my assignments have been specialized or technical operations within the agencies, but experience has been attained in all aspects of patrol and investigations.

“For the past eight and one-half years, I have been with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety; the past five years as lieutenant in Police Services and as a fire captain.  My current assignment as Support Services Supervisor has me overseeing records, property, police and fire dispatch, and identification section.

“The first thirteen and one-half years of my career was spent with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy, detective for two years, and sergeant for eight years.  With a major in photography from San Francisco City College and a short stint in Yosemite’s (now) Ansel Adam’s Studio, I found myself transferred to the identification bureau within six months of employment.  Ten years total was spent in the bureau I became very attached to.  I served as bureau commander for five years overseeing forensic sections in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.

“During my tenure with Santa Barbara, I completed the IAS [Institute of Applied Science] course in criminal identification (before DOJ and FBI got into training), and later attended an FBI advanced latent print course, along with many other courses over the years.  Being surrounded by creative and innovative people, led to entering four CSDIAI technical exhibits and the bureau taking three first-place technical awards.  I feel fortunate to have been able to participate in the pilot ALPS Program, as well as orchestrating and supervising a crime scene investigator program worked by patrol deputies.

“I’ve served on many CSDIAI committees over the past 22 years as a member.  I’m most proud of having been appointed to the first Latent Print Certification Committee by then Presidents Frank Hart and Al Flores.  I served two years as central California’s member.  I also served as an Association director, Sergeant-At-Arms, Fourth Vice President and then Third Vice President before moving to Northern California.

“In 1988, I was prompted by South of San Francisco friends to run again for CSDIAI office.  I, along with others in this area, are looking forward to hosting the first-ever Sonoma County training seminar in 1992.

“I’ve attended the majority of the CSDIAI training seminars since joining in the mid-60’s.  I’ve reflected back on the friendships made and the innumerable questions I’ve answered over the years.  What I wouldn’t know, had I not had the good fortune of having employers and co-workers support my attendance at annual seminars.”

Following that article, John went on to serve as CSDIAI President for the 1991-1992 term, hosting the annual seminar in Santa Rosa.

More recently, John served as Dean of the North from 1997 until 2006, when he was elevated to Dean Emeritus (2006 until 2018).

He received the George Pletts Award in 2010 and, in 2017, received his 50-year-membership plaque.  His member number is 1188.