By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–Former Oceanside Mayor James “Jim” Wood, a longtime public servant whose career spanned more than four decades in law enforcement and city government, died on May 16. He was 78.
Wood served the Oceanside community as a police officer, city councilmember and mayor, earning a reputation as a staunch advocate for public safety and community service.
“Jim Wood was a dedicated public servant in every sense of the word,” Oceanside Mayor Esther C. Sanchez said in a statement. “He left a lasting legacy of prioritizing public safety, fighting crime, and protecting our seniors. Jim had a great way of making everyone feel like an old friend. His quick wit and humor broke down barriers, and people were drawn to him from the moment they met.”
Sanchez described Wood as “a wonderful person, phenomenal mayor, and a great friend,” adding that “he will be deeply missed.”
Wood moved to Oceanside as a young boy in 1955 and spent the rest of his life in the city he would later lead. He joined the Oceanside Police Department in 1971 and served more than 31 years, working as an investigator on high-profile and complex cases involving homicide, narcotics, and crimes against children and seniors. During his law enforcement career, he also collaborated with federal agencies including the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Following his retirement from the police department, Wood was elected to the Oceanside City Council in 2002. Two years later, he was elected mayor, beginning what would become one of the longest mayoral tenures in the city’s history.
Wood served as mayor for more than 13 years. During his administration, Oceanside’s crime rate fell to its lowest level in three decades, and the city gained recognition as one of the safest beach communities in San Diego County. He was reelected in 2016 with 63% of the vote.
In December 2017, Wood resigned from office because of a medical issue. In a letter to the city clerk at the time, he wrote, “It has been such an honor to serve the city that I have lived in for over 65 years– as a police officer, a councilmember, and mayor.”
The city honored Wood’s lifetime of service in 2022 by renaming Rancho Del Oro Park as Jim Wood Community Park. The ceremony was attended by Wood, his wife Pam, whom he was married to for 48 years, and members of his family.
City officials said Wood’s legacy will continue to shape Oceanside for generations through his commitment to public safety, civic leadership and community service.
