Public Memorial for SJ Police Chief McNamara

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The former police chief credited with making San Jose one of the safest large cities in the country was remembered at a public memorial Thursday. Friends and colleagues gathered at the California Theatre to pay their last respects to Joseph McNamara.

He was an advocate of community-based policing, and a staunch critic of assault weapons.

San Jose Police Chief Larry Esquivel paid tribute to Chief McNamara at the services.

Esquivel said, "Chief Joseph D. McNamara was a true pioneer in law enforcement. He was innovative, a visionary, ahead of his time and above all a respected leader."

After he retired he became a fellow at the Hoover Institution and a best-selling author.

McNamara died in his Monterey County home on September 19th after an eight month battle with pancreatic cancer.