Jimmy Dean “J.D.” Smith, a former police chief and mayor for the city of Lompoc, passed away on the morning of Aug. 12 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital following heart surgery. He was 80 years old.
Smith spent more than 27 years serving the city in a variety of roles in law enforcement and city government, and remained a resident long after his retirement from public service.
According to a city press release, Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, serving from 1950 to 1953. He held an associate of arts degree from Fullerton Junior College, and a bachelor’s degree from LaVerne College.
Notably, Smith was a graduate of the 99th class of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, receiving a number of commendations.
Smith started his career in law enforcement in 1953 with the Fullerton Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer and trainer, rising through the ranks to detective and, eventually, lieutenant.
Smith left Fullerton in 1966 and was hired by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department as a captain. After a new Tulare sheriff was elected that year—subsequently replacing his entire command staff—Smith departed for the Lompoc Valley.
The Lompoc Police Department hired Smith as assistant chief in 1967. He served as assistant chief and acting police chief until 1970, when he was appointed as the department’s sixth chief of police.
He served as chief for more than 16 years, retiring in 1986. During his time as chief, Smith served on the California Police Chiefs’ Association Board of Directors between 1972 and 1977, served as the association’s president in 1976, and was honored with a citation from former President Ronald Reagan for his career in law enforcement and crime prevention.
Following his retirement, Smith continued serving the community as a Lompoc city councilman beginning in 1986. He was elected mayor in 1990, ultimately serving one term.
According to the Lompoc Police Department’s press release, Smith established several programs still in use by the department today, such as Explorer Post 700, a training program for youth interested in law enforcement, and the Chaplaincy Corps.
Smith is survived by his wife, Nina, son Ronald, and daughter Brenda.
According to Lompoc Police Chief Tim Dabney, a memorial service for Smith has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Lompoc Foursquare Church at 125 North C. St. The service will be followed by a reception at the Lompoc Veterans Memorial Building, located at 108 E. Locust Ave.
This article appears in Aug 18-25, 2011.
