Reader Report: Remembering Newport police Capt. Tim Newman

If giving is the key to living, then Tim Newman lived more than most. The retired 27-year veteran of the Newport Beach Police Department and lifetime resident of Orange County died Dec. 7, just two months after being diagnosed with a rare brain disease. He was 61.

A lifelong resident of Newport Beach, Newman joined the Newport Beach Police Department in 1978. He served in a variety of positions, including Patrol, Detectives, Personnel and Training, Traffic, Environmental Services and Community Relations.

Because of his bright and capable bearing, Newman promoted quickly through his career to sergeant, lieutenant and then retired as a police captain. As a lieutenant, Newman served as the executive officer in the office of the chief of police, managing Internal Affairs and Press Relations, using his genuine connection with the community to communicate important news and information.

Early in his career as a police officer, as environmental issues and regulations became more important to the city, Newman was selected to create the department’s first environmental services functions, creating many important programs and policies that are still part of the department today.

But Newman’s legacy will best be remembered for the support he gave to his fellow officers, many times in the most difficult of circumstances.

“I served with Tim for 27-years,” said Tom Gazsi, current chief of the Los Angeles Port Police and former Newport Beach Police captain and Costa Mesa police chief. “Regardless of his position in the department, he was always compassionate and supportive of those he worked with and more importantly those that he led. He cared deeply for his family, the department and community.

“Newman’s progressive and innovative nature honed the many good qualities exemplified today by the Newport Beach Police Department. This included his role hiring the first African-American police officer as well as the first full-time female officer assigned to patrol. But Tim was best known for the care and concern he gave to the community and members of the department.”

As if giving back to his community through his police work wasn’t enough, Newman combined his passion for sports and love for children into being a longtime coach in local youth soccer and softball leagues.

Beginning with coaching his daughter Katie and son Jeff, Newman always found extra time to work with anyone who wanted it.

“Dad was always driving us to work hard and play with passion,” said Tim’s daughterm Katie Newman. “He wanted to make sure we had fun, but that we also understood the importance of being dedicated to a team, of making those around you better to make the team better.”

In 2008, never being one to rest, Newman joined Clean Energy Fuels, a Newport Beach company, as the grants manager, successfully turning around the department and making it into one of the most valuable in the company today.

Using his experience, attention to detail and passion for doing the job right, Newman led the development of the Facility Modification Division, which is now also well on track, due to his leadership, to become another successful part of Clean Energy.

And it’s no surprise that between working, family, and coaching, that Newman also found time to satisfy his deep passion for music, playing saxophone for The Droppers, a local alternative rock band that performs throughout Southern California.

A big fan of Dave Mathews Band saxophonist, the late LeRoi Moore and jazz saxophonist Eric Marienthal, Newman provided a depth and soul to the bands’ sound, connecting the music with the audience.

“Tim was such a passionate musician, always driving us to reach our goals”, said Joe Puccio, founding member and lead singer. “But we’ll always remember Tim as the steady glue that held us together. Whenever we were struggling, Tim was right there to remind us how lucky we were to be playing music, how fortunate we were to have each other.”

The Droppers routinely play numerous charity events around Orange County, and Tim, a member of the band for seven years, was always there, ready to give others a chance to share his love of music.

A loving husband, father, and friend to many, Newman was loved by everyone he touched, and even in death continues to find a way to give back. Tim was diagnosed in October with Creutzfeldt — Jakob disease (CJD), a rare disease which effects about 1 person per million a year — and his family has asked for memorial donations in his name be made to The CJD Foundation, 341 W. 38th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10018 or www.cjdfoundation.org

JASON A. JOHNSTON is public relations manager for Newport Beach-based Clean Energy.