Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant Gary W. Wolfley

Rialto Police Department, California

End of Watch Monday, March 3, 1986

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sergeant Gary W. Wolfley

I attended a prayer vigil this past week for Deputy Tobin Bolter Ada County Sheriff’s Department. I am now living in Idaho. Tobin’s death struck me so hard and brought back the immense heartache I felt in 1986 with Gary’s senseless death. Gary’s life mattered and will never be forgotten.

I was asked today if there was something from my LEO career I would like to forget. I responded with the memory of my first scheduled night as a rookie. I was suppose to have been riding with my training officer Gary Wolfley, but his wife had decided to ride with him that night. I had met him prior and was excited to be assigned to him. He had a great attitude, superb sense of humor. During our first meet and greet everyone told me how lucky I was to be assigned to Gary. After only an hour of meeting with him I could tell it was going to be a great learning experience.

Unfortunately, he was taken from us that night. In his death he taught me life’s lessons over and over. His death made me a better person and a better LEO. If I could have erased that night I would. I have honored Gary through my career and have never forgotten his smile.

He may not have ever officially trained me but through the lessons and experiences I learned more that night then a rookie has ever learned from a training officer. Gary you kept me safe as I have always kept you in my heart and mind through my career.

Det. Sergeant
RPD and San Diego County Sheriff
November 14, 2021

Jane McClain

April 29, 2024

Prayers and remembrance Gary. And for all that love and know you

Captain Tim Foppiano
SBCoFD Retired

April 13, 2024

Gary
I feel bad that I missed the anniversary of your death this year. You were truly an inspiration to me. Even though I've been retired for some years now, I still think of you often, especially when I see that another LEO has been murdered. You were a great Offier and Sergeant. May you always Rest In Peace. I have hope to see you again in Heaven.

Deputy Sheriff, retired.
San Bernardino Sheriff

April 2, 2024

Hey brother, I missed your reflection in March this year. Just wanted to say that I have not forgotten you, You were a great role model and street cop…I will always remember! Continue to rest easy brother

Richard Bitonti, Captain (RET)
Rialto PD (RET)

April 26, 2023

I worked with Gary as his partner in the narcotic division prior to his promotion. The night of the even I worked the shift prior to gary's. I left the station for my second job at San Bernardino Community Hospital. When I started my shift I was in place to accept Gary's body.
I was also the insurance representative at the RPD association which did the background information for the family's behalf.
Gary was and still is missed, we think of him to this day. A good cop and friend.

Retired Sgt. Rialto P.D.
Rialto P.D.

March 6, 2023

Never forgotten. RIP

Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles
County Sheriff

March 5, 2023

I have always reflected on our partnership, we were narc partners just prior to your promotion to SGT. We shared the honors of being the first & second detectives assigned to the narcotic division of RPD. We had a weird sense of humor that only you and I understood but a dedication to the job like no others.
That fateful night I said my goodbyes at the hospital, but you've always been on my mind as I continued in the narc unit.
Now retired for many years, you are still on my mind and will always be. Rest easy my friend/partner rest easy, you'll NEVER be forgotten!

Retired Sergeant Craig Malensek
LAPD/Rialto PD, Gary's Narc partner

December 16, 2022

Rest in peace Sergeant Wolfley.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 20, 2022

You are remembered!

Friend Tim Foppiano
SBCoFD Retired

March 8, 2022

I was asked today if there was something from my LEO career I would like to forget. I responded with the memory of my first scheduled night as a rookie. I was suppose to have been riding with my training officer Gary Wolfley, but his wife had decided to ride with him that night. I had met him prior and was excited to be assigned to him. He had a great attitude, superb sense of humor. During our first meet and greet everyone told me how lucky I was to be assigned to Gary. After only an hour of meeting with him I could tell it was going to be a great learning experience.

Unfortunately, he was taken from us that night. In his death he taught me life’s lessons over and over. His death made me a better person and a better LEO. If I could have erased that night I would. I have honored Gary through my career and have never forgotten his smile.

He may not have ever officially trained me but through the lessons and experiences I learned more that night then a rookie has ever learned from a training officer. Gary you kept me safe as I have always kept you in my heart and mind through my career.

Sergeant
RPD and San Diego County Sheriff

November 14, 2021

I learned of your devastating and untimely death on an episode of COPS and I was touched to see how loved and missed you are. I didn't know you but I do know that you are well respected and very loved. Rest easy, Sergeant Wolfley.

Police Officer (Ret.) Jerome J. Grasso
Irondequoit Police Department, Irondequoit NY

October 7, 2021

God Bless you Gary

Friend Tim Foppiano
SBCoFD Retired

March 14, 2021

Still remembering you Gary! Continue to Rest In Peace my friend.

Rich Bitonti
Former Rialto Officer

March 7, 2021

You are not forgotten. I often think of you and your family.

Noretta

March 3, 2021

You are not forgotten! I was a young boy attending school at Peppercreek in Rialto. I still remember being in Tae Kwon Do class with you and your brother Ron my instructor, I remember that time vividly. You will never be forgotten!!!

Jason Eberhardt
Retired LA County Paramedic

August 19, 2020

You are remembered

Friend Tim Foppiano
SBCoFD Retired

April 3, 2020

I responded to the shooting of Sgt. Wolfley March 3, 1986. I was a D/C with the Rialto Fire Department in charge of the Fire response. He was a good man well respected by fellow officers and also by the RFD. RIP Gary.

Henry Lewis DC Retired
Rialto Fire Department

March 4, 2019

You are remembered, in peace my friend.

Friend Tim Foppiano
SBCoFD Retired

March 4, 2019

I went to Sgt. Woodleys funeral and I went through the academy with his wife. When I graduated the Academy I had to take care of this animal that killed Sergeant Wolfley. It was very difficult to look at him everyday. He would carry a bible with him and play the game he was innocent.
After the trial he was found guilty and sent to death row where he is awaiting execution. Hopefully one day he will pay for his crime.
God bless Sgt. Wolfley and may he rest in peace.

David Mackie San Bernardino County Sheri
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept.

September 4, 2018

I didn't know you long, but you helped to inspire me; your strength, your personality. I was a young nineteen year old kid when we first met. You introduced me to Pink Floyd. Memories of sitting with you, Candy, and Sandy listening to them on reel to reel quadraphonic speakers late at night.
I pass by the freeway sign that has your name memorialized on it almost everyday.
It may sound stupid, but I say "Hello Gary" and a short prayer every time I go by.
I have been out of Law Enforcement for over 25 years, but I will always remember your kindness to me.
Hope to meet you again in Heaven.

Former Deputy Sheriff
SBSO

March 14, 2018

Sgt. Wolfley, after 31 years I still remember and think of you often. I was at your Funeral and it affected me deeply as I was a fairly new Police Officer.

Rest in Peace

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
City of Upland, CA

July 10, 2017

Remembered. Always in the thoughts of those who know you. Peace my friend.

Captain retired Tim Foppiano
SBCoFD

March 11, 2017

My condolences for the loss of Sgt. Wolfley; and my thanks to his wife who stepped into Gary's vacancy in the Thin Blue Line.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

March 3, 2017

Gary was Sam 8. Sergeant badge 8. I loved it because when I became a C.S.O. My first badge was badge 8 and I still have it to this day! Great supervisor, great guy. Totally stand up. Still miss you and can't wait to see you again sometime soon!

Sr. C.S.O. Retired
Rialto P.D. 1984-2003

March 2, 2017

When I lateralled over to RPD you made me feel at home, you always made briefings fun, it was always fun working the streets together and our short time working narcotics together was hilarious & busy. I visit your resting place from time to time and just remember things.
Keep an eye out for these new boots Gary, they need it more than ever now!

Sergant Retired (RPD)
Rialto PD

February 27, 2017

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