David Tambara, who recently retired from the San Francisco Police Department, died on Oct. 23, 2010. He was 57.

In recognition of his work in U.S.-Japan relations, then-San Francisco Police Inspector Tambara was awarded the Consul General’s Commendation by then-Consul General of Japan in San Francisco Makoto Yamanaka on Oct. 3, 2006.

At the time, Yamanaka said the Sansei inspector had been “indispensable” to the Consulate General’s Office.

According to the Consulate’s Office, Tambara was honored for his “ongoing contribution and dedication to the peace and security of San Francisco residents, including those in the Japanese and Japanese American community.”

A three-decade veteran of the SFPD, Tambara had been part of the SFPD’s Gang Task Force and Hate Crime Unit.

Tambara had served as a liaison officer to the security consul of the Consulate General of Japan since 1979. In that capacity, he contributed to the work of the Consulate to provide support for Japanese nationals involved in various incidents and accidents, both large and small.

Locally, Tambara has been active with local Boy Scout groups, and has led such groups in their trips overseas to Japan.

Then-San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong had high praise for the Sacramento native at the 2006 ceremony in his honor, saying that “he has the ability to work with people to solve the most basic problems.”

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 221 Valley St. near 29th and Church streets in San Francisco

There will also be a viewing on Friday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m., at Dugan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Ave. in Daly City, Calif.