Five San Francisco police captains today will join the hundreds of celebrities and regular San Franciscans whose photos adorn the walls of iconic chophouse John’s Grill.
The photos of captains Greg Corrales, Al Casciato, Dominic Celaya, Ron Roth and Gary Jimenez will be hung alongside pictures of former police chiefs starting with Thomas Cahill, who had the longest tenure as chief in San Francisco history.
Local publicist Lee Houskeeper said new photos are hung about once a year, but that it’s rare for five people to go on the wall at once. The selection process is organic and informal, he said.
“I don’t know how it happens,” Houskeeper said. “All of a sudden I find myself standing on top of a table with a screwdriver like I will be today.”
The owners of the 102-year-old John’s Grill call the restaurant a “tribute to Old San Francisco,” with period pieces and oak walls covered in photos of past and current patrons.
The restaurant is mentioned in Dashiell Hammett’s classic San Francisco crime novel “The Maltese Falcon.” It is located at 63 Ellis St., between Stockton and Powell streets.
Police Assistant Chief Kevin Cashman was expected to attend today’s 11:30 a.m. event, along with former mayor Frank Jordan.
