Scottsdale Police Announce Passing of Cecil Kirk
Long-time Scottsdale Police official Cecil Kirk passed away Thursday morning, March 31, at Hospice of the Valley. He was 71.
Cecil joined the Scottsdale Police Department in 1980 after a career spanning more than 20 years with the Washington D.C. Metro Police where he served as a crime scene unit supervisor.
Cecil was an excellent photographer. Those skills led to an assignment in 1963 to assist the federal investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas. Cecil later testified in several congressional hearings regarding the JFK case.
Cecil came to Scottsdale to assist in updating the SPD forensics capabilities after the Bob Crane murder case. When he arrived, Cecil conducted an in-depth analysis and developed short- and long-term improvement plans for what became the highly regarded and accredited Scottsdale Police forensics team. His efforts led to the formation of today’s crime scene unit, advanced laboratory techniques and the construction and staffing of the modern laboratory.
Cecil was appointed the department’s technical services director in 1988. He was responsible for the lab, records, property and the jail.
Cecil became the department’s strategic planning officer under Police Chief Mike Heidingsfield and was instrumental in the development of the regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
He retired in the mid 1990s due to health concerns. A memorial service has yet to be scheduled.
