A man who has become iconic to the Redding Police Department has passed away. Retired Chief Robert P. Blankenship served the City of Redding from 1972 until 2002. He had been Chief since 1988. In 1975 then-Officer Blankenship survived being shot in the face by a theft suspect in the alley behind Lim’s Restaurant on North Market Street. He was a respected figure in the field of law enforcement and helped develop statewide policies for law enforcement response to domestic violence incidents. He served as President of the California Police Chiefs Association, and since his retirement he’s served on the McConnell Foundation Board of Directors, most recently as chairman. The new police station next to city hall nears his name.