Will Smoke

William Smoke began his law enforcement career with the Monterey Police Department in 1977. In 1984, he lateraled to the San Jose Police Department. During his 33 year law enforcement career, he worked the Robbery and Sexual Assault Units as a Detective. He worked undercover in the Vice and Narcotics Units. He also worked the Horse Mounted Unit, Downtown Foot Patrol, Bicycle and 4x4 Patrol, Field Training Program and he was the Youth Violence Prevention Program Coordinator. He also helped develop and coordinate the Challenges and Choices: A Student Approach to Youth Violence Program.

 

Will attended Cleveland High School in Portland, Oregon. There he competed in track & field as a pole vaulter and he was on the wrestling team. He went on to Southern Oregon University where he continued pole vaulting and he also played soccer. While in college, his passion for skiing began. At the age of 21, he ran the Professional Ski Patrol at Mt. Ashland, Oregon.

 

Will began competing in the California Police Winter Games while still with the Monterey Police Department. When he came to the San Jose Police Department, he continued competing in the California Police Winter Games and also played on the SJPD Soccer Team. In 1986, the International Police Winter Games started. Will was asked to be on their Board of Directors to plan and coordinate the Alpine and Hockey events. He coordinated Hockey and Ski events at many Sierra resorts, Canada, and ultimately in Innsbruck, Austria. Will put together the SJPD Ski Team and was instrumental in seeing membership grow to over 100 officers. The SJPD Ski Team was the largest ski team in the state of California. He competed in the California Police Winter Games and the International Police Winter Games for 25 years. He competed with skiers from all over the world and never finished lower than 32nd. His best finish was 8th in the world. Will competed in the Giant Slalom, Slalom and Super Giant Slalom events and won over 70 medals.

 

Since retiring, Will has continued his passion for hockey. He took over and revamped the Learn to Play Hockey Program at Idaho Ice World. He is currently the Varsity Hockey coach at Bishop Kelly High School and assists with the IIWW High School Program.

 

For his outstanding athletic accomplishments and his passion for coaching kids, Officer William Smoke is inducted into the Police Amateur Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame.