Retired San Rafael Police Department (SRPD) Sgt. Chris Coale, a 30-year law enforcement veteran who earned the department's Silver Medal of Valor, has died.
The SRPD announced Coale's passing on Thursday, Sept. 24. The department did not disclose a cause of death.
Coale began his career at the Pinole Police Department before joining SRPD in 1999. He served the San Rafael community for more than two decades, rising from officer to corporal to sergeant before retiring in 2020.
His assignments spanned some of the department's most demanding roles. As a sergeant, Coale supervised patrol, the traffic unit and the crisis negotiation team. He also worked as an investigator with the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency unit focused on digital crime.
The department described Coale as a colleague who earned respect through his work ethic and professionalism.
2007 fire rescue
One moment from Coale's career stood out. In 2007, he and another officer entered a burning apartment complex to rescue a man. The floor above them was fully engulfed in fire during the rescue, according to the department. SRPD awarded Coale its Silver Medal of Valor for the effort, citing the great courage he showed while placing his own safety at risk.
Two decades in San Rafael
Coale's 30-year career in law enforcement split between two Marin and Contra Costa county agencies. He spent his early years at the Pinole Police Department in Contra Costa County before making the move to San Rafael, where he would spend the bulk of his career.
Over more than 20 years with SRPD, Coale held leadership roles across multiple units. His promotion from corporal to sergeant put him in charge of officers on patrol and gave him oversight of the department's traffic enforcement and crisis negotiation operations.
The department said Coale would be remembered as someone who cared deeply for his family and colleagues. SRPD extended condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
No memorial service information has been announced.
