Crime & Safety
Watsonville Police Chief Manny Solano Diagnosed With Cancer
The police chief will take leave while he battles the disease.
Watsonville Police Chief Manny Solano has been diagnosed with rare aggressive blood cancer.
Solano and City Manager Carlos Palacios both confirmed the difficult news, saying there will be an official announcement at a press conference Wednesday. Solano may answer questions at that time and city officials will announce the interim plan during Solano's leave.
"We're all still in shock about Manny," Palacios said in an email to Patch. "We just found out this weekend."
The diagnosis surfaced after a recent outpatient surgery, Solano wrote in a letter to his staff, which he also posted on his Facebook page. (The letter is attached above.)
Solano, a police officer for 25 years, has headed the Watsonville force since 2010. He is 49.
Since the announcement, immense support has poured in via social media. Solano has said the Fallen Officers Foundation will provide updates on his condition through its Facebook page once he is admitted to Stanford Medical Center for treatment.
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