Staff in Memoriam: Josh Whittington

Read a tribute to Josh Whittington.

Josh Whittington
Residential Security Officer
UCSD Police Department
Years of service at UCSD: 19

Josh Whittington loved The West. Country Western music, horses, and rodeo were all hallmarks of the man nicknamed "The Trail Boss." He died suddenly June 12, 2006, at the age of 45.

Most of his UCSD service was in the Muir College residential life area. According to colleagues, "Josh was firm but just, and with good humor and a sense of fair play, he won over most of the students who were under his watchful eye." He was recently awarded the Muir College Spotlight Award at the annual UCSD Residential Life Recognition ceremony.

Josh was also honored in 2003 as one of the UCSD Police Department’s Employees of the Year. His professionalism, expertise, and trustworthiness earned him a promotion to Team Leader for the Residential Security Officer program in 1992.

He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Phyllis Whittington (a retired UCSD staff member) and a sister, Denise Harris.

Above his job, Josh always placed family and friends, his colleagues noted. He was proud of his family members’ accomplishments and loved to share stories about them with others. UCSD was his second home and family.

"Josh’s own thoughtful, good-hearted ways, quick laugh, and sense of humor made many of the UCSD staff define him more as friend than co-worker."

The family requests that donations be made to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).