An old Greek proverb states that, “A civilization flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit.” And fine examples of that wise observation are the two Police Department volunteers, Emil Bettini and Bill Kay, each twenty-year volunteers, who were recently honored with a City Council Resolution at the Annual Police Volunteer luncheon.

Emil “Babe” Bettini, a native and life-long resident of San Rafael, has contributed greatly to Police Department volunteer projects throughout the years, including the formidable achievement, early in his volunteer career, of organizing eighty-five Neighborhood Watch Groups throughout the City’s neighborhoods. In 1999, he was appointed Volunteer Coordinator, a position which includes interviewing prospective volunteers, presenting and explaining job opportunities in the Department, and conducting orientations after applicants have passed background checks and been accepted into the Department.  “Emil is tireless and extremely dedicated,” says J.J. Nunez, Personnel Manager for the San Rafael Police Department. “It is because of his business acumen, strong social skills, love of police work and community service that we have one of the most successful police volunteer programs one can find.”

Bill Kay’s life began not in his adopted City of San Rafael, but in far-off Poland, which he eventually fled to Russia at the age of thirteen before coming to America. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and graduating college, he went to work as an electrical engineer for PG&E, from which he retired in 1987. Since retirement, Bill has contributed his time to various organizations, but has found a volunteer home at the San Rafael PD. “Bill is invaluable assisting the detectives in our Missing Person cases,” J.J. Nunez says. “He is extremely diligent in preparing paperwork, updating and following up on each case, all the while approaching his work with the seriousness it deserves.”

It is said you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give, as exemplified by the long-time commitment and dedication of these two exceptional Police Department volunteers.  They have surely earned the recognition afforded them by a grateful City and its Police Department.