Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Roy we began at partners at Sierra Madre Police Dept. in 1970.
You always liked that I called you ‘partner.’ When we both left to become sheriffs you still came out to Malibu sheriff station to continue to be my partner. You are the one ‘true’ partner I ever had. One day we will be partners once again. One day…!
I have never forgotten you or Marilyn…. Rest in peace..!
August 2024….

Retired Deputy Leonard Yniguez
Los Angeles County Sheriff

August 15, 2024

Today Narcotics Bureau remembers the ultimate sacrifice you paid. We remember and will NEVER forget! All of your family and friends are in our thoughts today.

Captain Holly Francisco
LASD Narcotics Bureau

October 23, 2020

Its been 31 years Roy. Every now and then you come into my thoughts. My partner and my friend. You had lots of partners and they all remember you. But, I only had one good partner. Best partner, best friend I ever had, that’s you! I have great photos of the two of us on patrol.

Retired LASD Deputy Leonard Yniguez
Sierra Madre PD - LASD

April 23, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Chester,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Los Angeles County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 24, 2018

RIP brother.

Deputy Sheriff LASD

October 25, 2017

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 24, 2017

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 25, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 25, 2014

Roy was a very special friend to me. I remember the times that I spent with him and his family. I remember when I got married and Roy was there for me, making sure that I had everything and was ready.
Roy was also a role model to me at Lynwood station. We spent a lot of hours together talking about the job and he instilled in me a lot of experience.
I remember working at SEB the day Roy was involved in the accident and asked to help make the notification to his family. That truly was one of the hardest things in my life that I had to do.
I was blessed to know Roy and call him my friend.

Sgt. Ray Walker, Ret.
Los Angeles County Sheriff

July 14, 2014

Roy, we had great fun working Lynwood Station patrol together. I still remember the story you told of your great embarrassment when your then young but proud son introduced you to his school classmates on career day. He announced your occupation as "My Dad is a hired gun for the county." Gee, I wonder where he got that! I could only imagine your fair complexion turning a beet red. Good times partner.

Retired
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept

February 14, 2013

To a great friend and partner. We spent all our formative years in the worst of the worst. I miss your humor and will never forget handling the gang fight while your tooth was sore. You and Marilyn are together now and I take some comfort in that. God Bless you Roy.

Commander Sid Heal (ret.)
LASD, Radio Car Partne

October 27, 2012

Dad I often think of you I was 16 years old when you were killed ever since I was little boy I always knew I wanted to be in law-enforcement even after you were killed I followed your footsteps for 13 years I Hooked and booked I was a (fto) training officer and I loved working (dope) just like you!! You were a great father a great deputy! You were a great role model I often think about you! you always been my true hero!!

Ret. police officer Christopher Chester
BPD

September 26, 2012

Roy,

I think I was your last patrol trainee. You worked me extremely hard but only with the intention of making me a better deputy. Whatever success I have had on this Department is no doubt a result of the lessons you taught me. Your picture hangs in my office and I think of you often. I am proud to have been "Chesterized".

Captain John Stedman
LASD

August 9, 2012

Roy, you were my reserve partner at Sierra Madre PD and we had lots of fun. You liked that I called you 'partner.' Then I went to L.A. Sheriff and convinced you to join me as a regular. You left a good job to join the sheriff's dept and this happens to you. So many days I regret talking my partner to join me. I offered my apologies to Marilyn, your wife, but that has not settled in my heart, grief and guilt. I miss your partnership Roy. I miss not seeing you. So sorry Marilyn...

Deputy Leonard Yniguez [email protected]
Los Angeles County Sheriff

March 21, 2012

Roy,

I think of you from time to time and remember our days together at FPK Narcotics. Great times and great memories, thank you.

Sgt Ed Huffman
LASD Narcotics Bureau

October 27, 2011

i wish u were there when i was born n i wish u were here now i love u wish u were here.

mykaila chester
grand daughter

August 4, 2011

i love u grandpa and wish u were there when i was born n u were still here to be with me one thing i would want is to meet u love u n wish u were here.

mykaila chester
grand daughter

August 4, 2011

I remember well, my first night in patrol, you the T/O and me the Trainee. The lessons, tactics and techniques covered over those months we spent together saved my life many times over. Rarely did a night go by that you did not share with me the joy and happiness that your family brought to your life. I cherish the many personal conversations we had and reflect on them often. As the years passed, we became good friends. I was amazed at the things you could remember in every detail. I think of you often and will never forget that little "smerk" in your smile when something was up. I was shocked the morning I first learned of your death. I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. God bless you.

Sgt. Dale J. Tullio, Ret.
L.A.S.D.

July 19, 2010

Rest in Peace, Deputy Chester. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 29, 2007

To the family and friends of Deputy Chester and his fellow officers:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Chester, along with other brave law enforcement officers, tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash.

May you continue to be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service Roy gave to his community and to his country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 24, 1988.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

October 24, 2005

I'll always remember you and Jake Gray hookin' and bookin'. What a team the two of you made. The memories may fade but the name lives on.

Rest in peace.

Industry Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

September 2, 2004

My deepest condolences to the Chester family and the deputies and staff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over the tragic loss of Deputy Roy A. Chester. I remember I was on duty working the field when the news came when the California Army National Guard helicopter that Roy and four other deputies were riding in crashed taking all of their lives and the lives of the Army National Guard pilots. I was in shock. All of those brave men taken at once. It was a very rough week that week in Southern California for law enforcement. You are all still remembered Roy after all these years and you all will be remembered always.
May our brother Roy rest in peace. Never forget the fallen hero!

Ofcr. Dan Winger
LBCCPD, Ret.

June 3, 2004