Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

John Dear I still cannot believe the world, life has gone on without you here. And yet your killer Edgardo Sanchez-Fuentes still lives on Death Row San Quentin. I doubt he will ever be put to death. I just don't understand it. But it is our crazy world. You a beautiful man, kind, funny, a great friend, a father, an Officer serving to protect, you deserve to be here! I will never forget you John Dear. You changed me, my life, and I am forever grateful to you, to God for bringing you to me. I love you deeply and forever.

Terri French Smith
Fiance'

May 31, 2024

It’s with a heavy heart that I check back in on John and his loved ones. I think of John every day. Truly a man of principal, yet a hilarious character in real life. I miss his gregarious spirit. His rough edges, yet a compassionate soul. John was a student of life. An observer and witty commentator on what he experienced. I miss those deep conversations at the end of a shift over a cold beer. I miss his council. I am grateful for John’s influence and participation in my life

Stephen Nagy
Maywood PD

September 17, 2023

Yesterday I visited John's graveside once more. As I placed flowers and polished his stone I remembered his warm embrace, his dry sense of humor, and how much he cared for anyone he thought was hurting. I remembered one night while out at the Legends in Duarte a young lady tried to sing a Patsy Cline song and lost courage and left the stage in tears and ran into the restroom. John asked me to check on her and invite her to sit with us. She did and all was well. That's how I felt with him that all was well. RIP John dear. Till we meet again.

Terri French Smith
Fiance'

May 31, 2023

30 years and you are not forgotten John Dear. I went to your graveside today and there gathered all around you were the Bell and Maywood PD who love and miss you to this very day. They told stories, shared a Budweiser with you, and played the Bagpipes. They remember you. I remember you. You are missed!

Terri French-Smith
Fiance'

May 29, 2022

Well it's been another year and yet seems like last night we were at Clearman's Northwoods Inn waiting for a table... you, Terry, Jeri & I eating peanuts tossing the shells at the fire pit or each other. We all had our plans to have futures together.... thirty years ago. I smile and chuckle at what our times could have been like. You interviewing me on Jeri's behalf is a story told many times and each time I smile and tear up at what the possibilities were....to say the least you are still missed very, very much.

Until we meet again my friend.

Bob

Robert Hardcastle

May 29, 2022

Thank you S. Nagy Jr. for remembering John. It is still unbelievable almost 30yrs ago this coming May that he was killed and taken from our lives. Heartbreaking!

Terri Smith
Fiance

February 1, 2022

John was my Dads best friend growing up he was a smartass and kind hearted man! He loved everyone he knew, met and would give the shirt off his back to anyone! He was a selfless person who took his career serious and gave his life keeping people safe. A week before he died we had him over for a BBQ and I don’t think I will ever forget it. He was an amazing person I was lucky to know. I wrote this as I told my 8yr old daughter about him and who he was. There’s a song that reminds me of him because my dad said he loved it. May he Rest In Peace, keep us safe in afterlife and may god have mercy upon the idiot who took my uncles life!

S. Nagy Jr.
Family

January 29, 2021

Dear Terri French-Smith, I wanted to let you know that Officer John will always love on. He was genuinely a sweet person. I met him one morning when I was on my way to school on a very rainy day. It was raining so much, the streets were flooded. He picked me up and gave me a ride back home. He told me he figured I was either crazy or lost. I was neither, but he became a friend forever. I would run into him every now and then on my way to catch the bus on Atlanta and Slauson and we would talk. He found out I played racket ball and gave me his racket that he no longer used. I still have that racket. When he found out that my family was planning to move to Bakersfield, he offered to rent me one of his apartments. I declined, but was grateful. When he saw me reading a Steven King book, he told me he was his favorite writer and had read all of his books. I remember hearing the news report the morning after his life was cut short and the heartbreak I felt. Well just wanted to let you know that he has a good guy, a hero and will always be missed.

Marlene Rios-Saenz
Just a neighborhood resident who's life he impacted.

June 1, 2020

Hi John Dear, Once again I visited your grave today. This was not our plan. But I will never forget you and will tend to your grave every year on this day till the day I die. It's now 28yrs since Sanchez-Fuentes took you from me. But he cannot take you out of my heart. You are loved and missed.

Terri French-Smith
fiancee

May 30, 2020

Hi John Dear, I visited your grave site today. Places some flowers and polished your head-stone. Looks like its been quiet some time since you had a visit. Just know you will never ever be forgotten. I know there are others who are thinking of you today. You are loved by many! I remember you in a song, a scent, a person who across the street who is walking like you. When I see kindness given to a stranger I see you. Thank you John Dear for your love, and humor and for being uniquely you! Thank you for giving all!!

Terri French Smith
fiance'

May 29, 2019

God bless our “Hogie “ you’ll be forever in my heart.

Rick Lopez, Chief -Retired
Maywood Police Dept.

November 16, 2018

26 yrs. ago today you were taken from me John Dear. And in 26 yrs. I have not forgotten you. I will never forget you. You brought me so much joy in the short time we had together. We were just beginning really. I was hopeful for the great life we were planning together. Thank you John Dear for your humor, your thoughtfulness and your warm embrace. Thank you for giving your all as a Police Officer to the community of Maywood. Because the cruelty of murderous animals/gangsters took you from us we carry on without you. You are forever missed!

Terri Smith
fiance

May 29, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 26th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 29, 2018

I worked Bell PD when John was killed, and we were called in to assist with the crime scene. I recall transporting the hood of a vehicle to the LASD crime lab, where it was believed one of the suspects prints may have been left. I read the reflections and was glad to see John has not been forgotten.

Will be riding for you in the 2018 Police Unity Tour, John “Hogie” Hoglund.

Police Admin/Commanding Ofcr J. Phillips
Los Angeles Police Department

April 20, 2018

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

May 30, 2017

John (Hogie) I can’t believe it has been 25 years I think about you often my friend you will always be honored and forever remembered.

Detective
Montclair Police Department

May 12, 2017

"I didn't know it was her turn". "It worked last time''.

Ret. Police Det
John's ''boot''

April 20, 2017

It's coming up on 25 years since you were killed John Dear. Recently an officer in Whittier went down in the line of duty and I am not sure what it was exactly about his picture but I found myself grieving you all over again. You are missed! The love we shared will never die in my heart. Thank you for being my champion, for your love and lifting my sites of what life can be. This was not our plan John Dear. But here we are. Just know you are not and will not ever be forgotten! Thank you. Love, Terri

Terri Smith
fiance'

March 25, 2017

It's been many years John we miss you we remember you and we laugh with you because of who you were the friend you were and the history we had God bless. Never forgotten always loved.

Bob Hardcastle
Friend

October 26, 2016

Rest in peace my brother you will never be forgotten.

Retired sergeant Scott Sharpe
Cathedral City PD

March 26, 2016

Dad i miss you so much. I didn't know this was here. Not a day goes by that me and your grandkids don't think and remember you. You would have loved your grandkids they love to miss around and rough house like you always did with me and laura. Two of my boys are going to be cops just like you. You may not have been there in there life in person . But you were there. And they know all about you. I didn't have a birthday for a long time but as the years past i slowly started to again. I have my day and the next we remember you.since you died the day after my birthday. I love you so much and miss you. Love your daughter

Deana Hoglund Mata
Daughter

January 19, 2016

Thank you Officer Zambito for remembering John today. John you are not forgotten. Thank you for all you were to me and to so many others who knew you. You are missed!
Love Always, Terri

Terri Smith
fiance

May 30, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 29, 2015

I worked patrol with "Hogie" at Maywood PD. He was a funny man with a dry sense of humor. John was a good cop and will be missed forever. God bless you John.

Rick Lopez
Chief of Police - Maywood PD
1997-2002

Rick Lopez, Police Officer
Santa Ana School Police (California)

March 23, 2015

I am the son of Sergeant Chuck Meyer, retired MPD. Even though I was a little guy, I remember John. I remember when MPD had a fireworks booth every 4th of July, being a part of the MPD family me, my mom and my dad would come and help sell fireworks at the stand. I remember one time John was on duty and swung by the fireworks stand to say hi to everybody, he parked his patrol car next to the stand and left it unlocked. Well me being a mischievous 8 or 9 year old naturally wanted to get into the the patrol car and play with the lights and siren, which I did. To say the least, my dad was pretty ticked at me.

Most of my dad's greatest stories from MPD involve John. My dad loved working with John, and the pranks they would pull on each other, oh boy. To say the least, John left a lasting impression on me. He was one of the good guys, a super hero with super powers, just like my dad. John, you are truly missed.

Brian Meyer

March 9, 2015