Eugene "Gene" BOTHELLO

BOTHELLO, Eugene 'Gene'
10/24/1937 - 2/9/2013
Gene passed away Feb. 9, 2013 peacefully at his home with his devoted wife Ann at his side after a valiant battle with cancer. He also is survived by his daughter Gina (Christopher) Sciscente, grandchildren Anna Leigh and Thomas James Sciscente, his brothers Clarence (Alice) and Jerry (Delores) Bothello, his sister Joyce (Philip) House, his 4 nieces, 2 nephews, and his previous wives Lynda Miner & Barbara Black.

Gene was born Oct. 24, 1937 and lived his entire life at the Bothello Ranch in Auburn, CA. He was predeceased by his parents John and Edwina Bothello. Gene and Ann were married in Hawaii August of 1983 and were blessed to have had each other. Growing up, Gene attended Placer High School where he held an Intermediate Track Record (1320 yards) which he held for many years. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice at California State University, Sacramento. In 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Firedrake (an ammunition rearming ship). He was stationed in Japan and was honorably discharged in 1958. After being discharged from the Navy he returned and worked at the fruit orchard where he was raised and sought employment at Aerojet General Corp. Solid Rocket Plant in Sacramento as a Quality Control Inspector. In 1964 he chose a career with the Placer Co. Sheriff's Dept. where he served 28 1/2 years with the Department. He began as a Patrol Officer and worked his way up to a weapons expert and acted as the Departments first full-time Rangemaster and Armorer. He was promoted to Inspector with duties entailing being in charge of various units such as burglary, narcotics with his Canine Assistant Hank, and Internal Affairs. He appeared on TV with canine officer Hank on the Dan Rather TV Show. In approximately 1984 he made Officer of the Year. In 1989, 1990, and 1991 with Gene at the helm, Placer County's Marijuana Task Force was No. 1 in California for arrests of cultivators based on the number of plants recovered. Gene pioneered the asset forfeiture program for Placer Co. and was almost solely-responsible for the procurement of over one million dollars as a result of narcotics investigations he supervised. His untiring effort enabled the Placer Co. Sheriff's Office to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the detection/eradication of illicit drugs. He retired with his Canine partner, Hank, in Oct. 1992 and then got his PI license and established Bothello's Investigations. In 1973-1976 Gene began Auto Cross Racing and in 1976 became an A-Production National Champion. He then began Trans-Am Racing and on Sept. 1, 1979 he assured himself of the 1979 Category 1 Trans-Am Championship by winning the Trois Riviera (Three Rivers) road race in Quebec, Canada. With one race remaining on the North American circuit at Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, he cinched the year-long point scramble by tallying 103 points to his nearest competitors 54. He qualified for pole position. He went out fast and never gave up the lead despite two incidents. He crossed the finish line six seconds ahead of the second place finisher.

Gene will be missed by family and friends and those who participated in many of his endeavors.

Family and Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1:00pm preceded by the Rosary at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 11600 Atwood Road, Auburn, CA. The reception will follow in the parish hall. The committal will be private.

If preferred, donations in his memory may be made to the Placer SPCA, 150 Corporation Yard Road, Roseville, CA 95678, or your favorite charity.

'I would like to thank all those who assisted and helped me at my time of need. Gratefully, Ann'