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Charles Furr Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Furr
Donald B. Smith
August 10, 2025
I remember Charlie very well when he became a patrol officer with the National City Police Department. As a matter of fact I was one of Charlie´s training officer. I may be mistaken but I´m reasonably sure I was his first Training Officer.
Charlie was a good all around officer proving himself as a good investigator and worked his way through the ranks. Charlie was promoted to Lieutenant and found himself over the Detective Bureau. Charlie had dry sense of humor but met his match in the late Sergeant Pat McMartin who played a joke on Charlie. It was one that Charlie and those of us in the Bureau had a good laugh. As for Charlie, it wasn´t an all out roar but most of the time it was more of body language of a broad smile, nod with slight exhale. Without fear of contradiction Charlie was an unforgettable character and a brother Officer.
Ken Kelly
August 11, 2024
Another year without you providing your take on what we have become. Brad Bickle is with you now and I´m certain the two of you have a lot more answers about the world. Miss you very much my friend.
Rex Lowery
August 10, 2024
Hard to believe that it´s been so long since you left us Charlie. Thanks for the warm memories. It was a pleasure and I was blessed to have known you.
John Morales
May 26, 2024
While working at Plaza Bonita, the on site officer... I remember taking a robbery report where the victim was tied up. I thought I did a decent job in writing the report and doing the investigation... BUT... Charlie Furr showed me where many of my errors were and boy did I learn something that day.
Ken Kelly
August 10, 2023
Ah Charlie, I´ll never forget when you, Penu Paul, and Bob Butts pushed the portable toilet over while I was in it. That happened on our last day of classes at the 65th Academy. I´m not so sure that you were not the instigator of that. Miss you my friend and forever blessings to you always.
Susan and Dick Dent
August 10, 2022
We miss our calls and texts...we are no longer at the Marina, but we think of him of often and the impact he had on our lives.
Truly a gentleman and deeply missed!
Ken Kelly
August 10, 2022
Thinking about you often Charlie. I´d sure like to get your take on recent events. You´re missed greatly.
Tommacena Douglas
August 10, 2022
On the anniversary of his transition, I must say I still miss texting and talking with him. There are people in our lives that no matter what you cannot forget the impact they have on your life.
Brad Bickel
August 10, 2021
I had the opportunity to spend time with Craig Short before his passing this past spring. Craig was a huge fan of Charlie, and had a wonderful ability to imitate him in the stories he would tell. Charlie was an amazing talent in law
enforcement. Once again, thank you very much Charlie Furr. We from NCPD, will always be NCPD, and you sir, will never be forgotten.
Rex Lowery
November 14, 2020
Charlie was an inspiration to me during my time working with him on the National City Police Department. His no nonsense yet pragmatic approach to law enforcement was second to none. After leaving the police department a part of Charlie stayed with me and I have thought of Charlie many times throughout the years. His gravel voice was unmistakable and strong, it served to hide his softer, sensitive and caring true self.
Charlie, thanks for having confidence in and supporting me.
Gods speed my friend.
Carl Anthony Furr
October 2, 2020
My condolences to the Furr family. As his “adopted” Son, I loved him too.
Susan and Dick Dent
August 24, 2020
We started as Dock neighbors, became friends and then Chuck became our personal Guardian Angel of Security!
Our vehicles were involved in several “incidents” in the Marina parking lot over the years. Chuck would diligently and tirelessly go over all the security camera footage then put together a report for us to file with the CVPD and our Insurance company. Because of his Bulldog tenacity we won EVERY case!!!
Chuck, though tough and gruff on the outside, was a softie with a dry and witty sense of humor. If he knew that we were out of town he would send text pictures of our vehicles, at all hours of the day and night, stating that they were safe and secure. The man never slept!
We still plan to continue to smile and wave at the cameras because we know he will still be on duty...
Miss you Chuck!
Hugs,
Susan and Dick Dent
Gary Pierwola
August 19, 2020
Good Man Good Friend and a great man to work with. Your sense of humor will be missed.
Tommacena Douglas
August 19, 2020
Mr Charles was a wonderful man. I met him when his mother was passing and he and I shared some really special memories of her and that time. He rededicated his life the night she passed and I have always cherished that memory. I truly and going to miss our text, the late night/early morning wake-ups and sharing about what God is doing in each of our lives. I will see him again. To the family hold on to the memories and to the Lord he never makes a mistake.
Craig Bradshaw
August 18, 2020
Charlie appeared gruff but had a dry sense of humor. I will always remember Charlie as a tenacious investigator, especially during homicides. The victim’s names escape me, but there were three cases in which I assisted Charlie in some capacity: #1. On East 17th St a woman was strangled for insurance money, #2. Watson White, a robbery homicide near the B of A on 8th Street (a Death Penalty case) and in particular, #3. the vicious robbery/homicide of a 7/11 clerk named Christi at 7th and Highland 7/11 around 1977. Charlie worked those crimes with the tenacity of a bulldog. The suspect in the 7th and Highland 7/11 homicide was a San Diego Skyline thug with the street name of “Itchy”. I assisted Charlie on a few occasions when he was interviewing “Itchy” and a few of his associates. There was never enough evidence for the DA to issue charges in that case, but to Charlie the crime was not forgotten. I kept in touch with Charlie until shortly before his death. Forty years later, no one in National City can remember that homicide, but Charlie, thirty years after his retirement would talk about developing a witness or evidence that would allow the DA to bring ”Itchy” to Justice. He was 100% cop. I am truly saddened that he is gone.
Mike Bishop
August 16, 2020
Charlie was one of a kind. Gruff on the outside with a wicked sense of humor, but far more sensitive and compassionate than he'd ever willingly let most people know. I'm glad to have known him.
Donald B Smith
August 16, 2020
I remember Charlie well when he came to us at National City Police Department.
A big man with a dry sense of humor and that inquisitive look which sometimes broke into a smile. Charlie was good at what he did, as we all know and will be remember by those of us who worked with him and for him..Rest in peace my friend.
Ken Kelly
August 16, 2020
Charlie, you are a legend. You enhanced the life experience of so many. We went through the academy together, along with Penu Pauu and Robert Butts. Unforgettable memories my friend. God bless you and rest forever.
Joe Coyle
August 16, 2020
Charlie, you one of my fondest memories of my days at NCPD. You were a great, compasionate man, and a tenacious investigator. You will be sadly missed by the many people you touched and mentored at NCPD. Rest in Peace my friend.
Brad Bickel
August 16, 2020
God Bless you Charlie. I appreciate evewrything you did for me on the department. I have always remembered those days, and think of you often. That will never change.
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