Submit a PhotoMichael William Ott, a loving father and retired San Diego Police officer, departed this life on June 19th, 2022. He was the proud father of Jamie (Travis) Garner, Kelly (Christopher) Ott-Martin, Michael (Lauren) Rivera, and Morgan Ott. Grandfather to Oliver Ott-Westbrook and Travis Garner, Jr.
Born in Hornell, NY to George & Mary Ott, brother to Sally, Mark(Karen), Ellen(Kevin), Greg, & Amy(Dean). Fun uncle to many nieces and nephews Chad(Laura), Kayla, Cory(Jenille), Matthew, Rachel, Kevin, Ethan, Lauren, and Christa(Ben)- some who have also chosen the follow his footsteps in a career of law enforcement. He is preceded in death by his mother Mary Agnes and his brother Greg Ott.
Michael was a US Army veteran. After completing his military service, Michael became a police officer with the San Diego Police Department where he proudly served his community for over 30 years. Mike held many roles within the San Diego Police Department including detective and Santa Clause at the Family Justice Center for Christmas. “Uncle Mike Story Time” was an office favorite, his leather jacket, and doing burnouts in their LTD squad cars in the San Diego Zoo parking lot in the late 80’s. Detective Ott earned multiple awards and commendations during his time with department, including many notable cases.
He was a beautiful person and friend to many, who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: fishing trips with life long friend Doug Saxton and crew, golfing with fellow officers, camping, family dinners, cooking, cigars, however, his greatest joy was being with his children and grandchildren. He was very generous with his love, time and resources, and helped anyone he could.
Michael loved life. May God use his passing to help others come out of the shadows, to help people to find a way to talk to each other. A devoted father and grandfather, Michael will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know him.
In lieu of flowers, please keep Michael’s children and grandchildren, and his precious blue heeler, Bruno, in your thoughts and prayers. He would want you to express your love to those you value and to be grateful for the time we have together.
Celebration of Life by Michael’s children is to be determined, but please leave a sympathy message for his children below.
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Love you my dear brother. Rest easy.
Sal
My family sends their utmost love and condolences to yours. No words can describe the pain I feel for your family. Morgan, I love you so much and I will always be here for you, as will my family. Take care and please reach out whenever.
Mike was a good detective and a good guy!! RIP
Mike Ott was an amazing detective and I had the honor of being his last Lieutenant before he retired. Mike was kind, thoughtful and investigated each case with tenacity. His quiet sense of humor was always appreciated in the DV Unit and he always volunteered to support unit functions. Mike volunteered to put on a HOT and sometimes stinky Santa Claus costume year after year just to bring some joy to DV victim’s kids. He never complained and loved doing it. I am very sad to know Mike’s life is over way too soon. My deepest condolences to the entire family!!!
I’m so sorry. He was a great guy. He has a crush on me for years. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Wishing his family and friends comfort, peace, and the ability to remember all of the love and happy memories that they had together. My heart goes out to you all. He sounds like he was an amazing man. <3
Prayers to the family of a man who greatness rubbed off and raised great children. God bless and my thoughts are with your family
My sincere condolences to the Ott family….a life gone far too soon. Cherish the memories and manage to smile.
Friend of Sally’s..my heart goes out the the whole family during this difficult time..sending prayers to you
It’s so hard for me to comprehend what’s happened. I loved your Dad. We went to school together and our families were good friends. He was my best male friend in high school. He used to call me when he was in the service at all times of the night. He didn’t care I had to get out of bed in the middle of the night either! We used to talk constantly a few years ago but then he just stopped calling or answering. I know his demons would take him to a dark place. Sometimes he would open up about his past but it was very short lived. I tried as much as I could to help him but sometimes you just can’t do enough. He was a great man and only wanted to be loved. He adored his girls. He couldn’t say enough about you guys. I’ve been thinking about him a lot this week. I’ve even been talking to him hoping he might hear me. I hope you all can heal quickly and don’t ever let your kids forget their grandpa.
Our sincere sympathy for you loss
May the Good Lord give you peace.
Michael dated our neighbor for a long time. We cared very much for him and the many dinner we shared and card games we played. He confided in us about the major case that he was lead detective in. He was determined to get justice for the little girl that at that time was the same as one of his daughters. Our sincere condolences to his family. May the many fond memories of him bring you joy. Blessings, Jim and Jaime’ Nugent
I am so stunned and so sad to hear of Mike’s passing. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to know him and to have worked with him. My sincere condolences to his family. Rest in peace partner.
Our prayers are with his entire family.
A great Detective and a pleasure to work around. I will miss him and I know his family will also.
Just a great friend , lots of fun to fish with, him and Doug were the best cooks, you knew you were going to get a great meal at dinner time , mike you will be missed ALOT !! RIP my friend .
Dad,
I got home from work about a half hour ago. I talk to you all day, every second. Today has been 12 days you went to heaven. I had two finals this week for class and I aced both of them. I used to call you after every exam and tell you how I did and for some reason you always felt the need to tell me to stay humble. Lol.
I’m really missing you today. My heart aches. But, I was jamming out to your favorite song like we used to on our road trips together to and from California. I love you forever pops. Xoxo
PS. Oliver said he loves you and misses you times infinity.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with his entire family. Mike, may you Rest In Peace. Always, L & T
My condolences and prayers for your family Mike. Thank you for protecting and serving the citizens of San Diego for thirty years. You worked and closed numerous high profile cases with arrests bringing justice to the victims and their family. Rest In Peace My Brother 👊🏼👊🏼
I was a field training officer in the 1980’s. Mike was one of my trainees. I knew immediately he would be a great police officer. He just handled himself so well. I really like him and will miss him. He was a class act. I enjoyed our conversations about golf and sports. You have my prayers at this difficult time.
Mike and I sat next to each other in the academy and retired out of the same unit, so I got to start and end my career with him. Mike was a good friend, we enjoyed golf together and he always made me laugh.
I will miss you my friend, I love you.
My heart goes out to his family and my prayers are with you all.
Mike had a heart of gold kept to himself he didn’t need awards or recognition for his hard work. His kids were his complete circle and would protect them over anything. My sadness is he didn’t need to go. I hope others can reach out. To Mike’s family, what an amazing part of your family that has left, but know he loved you all more than anything.
God bless Mike, his family and friends.
Mike was one of the top detectives in the domestic violence unit. There was always laughter coming out of his cubicle. He surely will be missed. RIP Mike.
Like so many have said, Mike was a great cop. A true “cop’s cop.” But that did not define who he was. It was just what he did as a career. Mike was a genuine good guy. A straight shooter who valued friendships and being part of the team. When Mike spoke of a great golf shot, the enormous fish that got away or especially a story involving his kids, he had a special glint in his eye that was unmistakable. That, was who Mike was. That, was what made Mike the friend he was, the cop he was and most importantly, the dad he was. May he rest in peace and be prepared to share a lot of memories when we meet again.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family. Mike and I worked in the same car for several years when I first started with the department. Mike was an unbelievable cop and had the knack for finding bad guys and working the streets. I learned so much from him. Mike was a great friend and was always there when you needed him. I’m honored to say we were friends and will miss him dearly. Rest in Peace bro, we will talk about old times when we meet again.
May God be with you during this difficult time. RIP Mike
Mike was a good friend and a great detective. I learned so much from him. He was such a pleasure to work with. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace pal.
I worked patrol with Mike and learned a lot from him. His sense of humor, wit and sarcasm made long nights more bearable. His dedication to getting the bad guys in jail was boundless. My heart hurts for your family and please know you’re thought of fondly, as is Mike.
I had the pleasure of going through the SDPD academy with Mike. He had a wonderful sense of humor. I don’t recall working the same divisions or units with Mike, but we would occasionally run into each other at an incident or an event held by the department and we would catch up on each other’s lives. He was one of the good guys and will be missed by so many. Prayers for his family.
Mike was a wonderful man and a great cop. We will miss him. RIP
Mike and I were partners on two different occasions while on the SDPD. We were partners while assigned to the Gang Unit and then Robbery Div. While in Gangs, my family and I had the pleasure of meeting Mikes first wife, Jamie, Kelly & Morgan, who was a toddler at the time. Our families got together at the Silver Strand in Coronado, where we all had an awesome time.
Since then Mike and I became close friends. Every time we saw each other we engaged in long conversations regarding our families. We’d update each other about the kids and basically shared the Love we had for our kids. After the PD, I helped Mike get a job at Sycuan Casino as a Gaming Regulator, where he always updated me on how his girls and grandkids were doing. He ALWAYS shared the joy of going out to visit you all. At one point, he told me he was considering and looking forward to moving to AZ to be closer to You ALL, and did it with a Big Smile on his face.
There’s so much more that I’d like to share about one of a few True Friends that I have in my life, he being one of them, but it would take pages to do so. The last time I spoke to Mike was when we ran into each other at Jamul Casino a few months ago. We spoke for quit some time, as we always did over a couple of beers. We spoke about his girls and his grandkids, which he was Really Proud Of, and missed being around with. We planned on getting together for a barbecue, but unfortunately that never happened.
I Miss My Boy, and I’m crushed at his passing. I’m angered at myself for not being there during His time of need. I just want to tell his daughter’s that His Love For You All was Unconditional. He was a Very Proud Dad and Grandfather. I’m listing my email address in case you’d like to reach out and talk.
In the mean time, The Entire Sanchez Family sends our Prayers, Love and Condolences to your Entire Family. He along with You All will always remain in our Prayers and in Our Hearts. Your Dad was The Best of The Best and a Very Proud Dad.
My condolences to the family.
RIP my friend.