Edward Lee Winchester

Ed was born on September 26, 1947, in the Great Smoky Mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina, to Laban and Pauline Winchester. He was the oldest of four children, followed by Gene, Tony, and Linda. As a young teenager, Ed moved with his family to Clovis, California, where he graduated from Clovis High School.

Ed will lovingly be remembered by his wife, Judy. Although Judy knew of Ed during high school, they didn’t truly meet until Ed became her boss at Tastee Freeze. They went on to enjoy 59 years of marriage, building a beautiful life and family together. He will also be remembered by his daughter, Suzi Davin (Justin); and his twin daughters, Jaime Hreische (Chuk) and Jodie Jensen (Jeff). He was a proud Papa to his six greatest treasures: Cole, Kylie, Isaiah, Joseph, Thomas, and Teagan.

Immediately after high school, Ed began his career with the Fresno Police Department as a police cadet in 1967. Those plans were quickly interrupted when he received a draft letter during the Vietnam War. He served as a military police officer in Germany and Washington, D.C., before returning home and continuing his career with the Fresno Police Department.

Over the years, Ed rose through the ranks of sergeant, specialist, lieutenant, and deputy chief before reaching the highest rank of Chief of Police. He served the City of Fresno for 34 years, retiring in 2001. During his career, he was instrumental in creating the Violent Crime Suppression Unit, Skywatch, Problem-Oriented Policing, and Tactical Teams. He also co-created the MAGEC Unit and Mounted Patrol Unit in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office.

But Ed’s impact went far beyond his career in law enforcement. He believed deeply in serving others and making his community a better place. As Ed was once quoted saying, “There is a saying that goes, be the change that you want to see in the world. So we can’t change everything, but we can use our time to make a positive impact on the things that we can.”

He lived those words. Ed volunteered in Highway City helping kids with their homework th an after-school program at Teague Elementary, coached the Teague girls’ softball team, served on the board of Highway City Community Development, ran a summer school program at Sierra Mobile Home Park, and blessed senior citizens throughout the community through the Senior Citizen Food Delivery program.

While Ed always dreamed of having a boy, he became the very best girl dad to his three daughters. He took his girls backpacking and fishing in the Sierra Nevada mountains, brought them to sprint car races, coached countless softball teams, and never missed a dance recital, music recital, softball game, or soccer game. He was always there.

Then came his six grandchildren—his greatest joy and the ones who proudly called him Papa. Over the years he drove to Sacramento, Porterville, and all around Fresno County to make sure he was there for all of his grandchildren. He finally got his boys through his four grandsons, while remaining a wonderful girl Papa to his two granddaughters. From sports to theater to music performances, Papa stayed busy cheering them on. He was their biggest supporter, and they knew they could always count on him.

Ed loved the simple joys of life. His favorite pastimes included reading (Clive Cussler novels!), trout fishing, backpacking, watching sprint car races, taking his family to Millerton Lake to waterski, traveling up and down California while coaching softball teams for his twins, playing guitar, taking his morning walks, and, most of all, spending time with his family.

Ed was also deeply devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His faith was an important part of who he was. He was a longtime member of Bible Study Fellowship and served as a group leader, sharing his faith and investing in the lives of others.

Ed spent his life serving, encouraging, coaching, protecting, loving, and showing up. He believed in making a difference wherever he could, and he did just that. His legacy lives on through the family he loved so deeply the people he served, the community he worked to make better, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

As Ed said it best, “He lived long and prospered while making the world a better place.”

And he truly did.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Northwest Church 5415 N West Ave, Fresno, CA 93711, at 10:30am. A Private Family Committal Service will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s honor to the ACTS Foundation (5125 N. Gates Fresno CA. 93722) and LifeBridge Community Church.