Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Dean,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

January 17, 2024

Today on the 30 th anniversary I just discovered this page and all these reflections are beautiful…Wayne was my uncle he & my mom were very close and he was a huge part of my life when I was growing up. I miss him everyday. Thank you for the kind words.

His niece DawnMarie

January 17, 2024

I remember this was the first scene that I remember seeing on TV about the earthquake. Seeing a picture of the motorcycle on the pavement really affected me. Even in Georgia, you are not forgotten.

Lt. Todd Duffey
Henry County, Ga. Sheriffs Office

November 9, 2023

As a former Marine, Police Officer, & Motorman myself I want to leave the following for Officer Dean, his family, friends, and fellow motormen.

It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright…
And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight.
They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast…
They look so proud and noble, like knights come from the past.

Side by side they always ride, and seem to move as one…
From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun.
And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them by…
And young ones ask their parents, why the men have mirrors for eyes.

They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you…
They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few.
Like men of steel, on silver wings, they sparkle in the light…
Then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.

Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again…
You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind.
Side by side they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound…
And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.

So if you see one riding, and you look into his face…
You will see your reflection in his eyes, and know that you are safe.
For Motormen are a special breed, they love to ride the wind…
And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones rides again.


Officer Dean now rides with every officer who wears the winged wheel .

Simper Fi & GOD Speed

Cpl. Keith VanValkenburgh (retired)
Dearborn Heights Police (Mi)

September 13, 2023

Thank you for your service.

Tim Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol 5342 ( retired )

June 14, 2023

I drove over that section of freeway about 20 minutes before it collapsed. I always think about this officer what I remember that morning. I hope his family found peace at some point after knowing he was doing something good.

MAJ David Scott Klajic
US Army (retired)

March 28, 2023

I was gravely injured on that day as well. I wasn't on a motorcyle, nor was I a police officer, but I WAS on a bicycle, heading to work on Rinaldi, and was thrown head first onto the pavement. I won't go into the details but I was very lucky to have survived. Afterwards, lying on a couch in my broken home, with my broken face I began to read the stories of those who didn't make it that morning, and Officer Dean's heroism still rings loudly even today. Without hesitation he drove south on the 14 to help those in need and paid the ultimate price for his bravery. Blessing to you and your family.

Paul Stewart

September 18, 2022

not your destiny! if we could have only changed that morning.dizzy led a tough childhood. He will be rememered as a big teddy bear. A great father and brother. Opps there goes another one. best in blue

sherri r
sis

July 20, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Dean.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2021

Wayne always had us in stitches. One of the funniest guys I ever met. My daughter was dating Wayne's son (Guy). One day, Guy asked his dad to call my daughter to let her know that he had unexpectedly be required that evening and to cancel the date for him. Wayne told him "OK" but never called Andrea. Instead, Wayne arrived at my home and told me that she had gotten all prettied up (his words) and he wasn't going to let her go through all that trouble just to sit home that evening. So Wayne took her out to a very nice dinner and for as goofy as Wayne could be, my daughter said he was the perfect gentleman on that "date". I think of you often my friend - you are missed, but will never be forgotten. May you forever rest in eternal peace enfolded within the wings of your guardian angel.

Jim Van Riper P-2
LAPD VTD Retired

February 23, 2021

Clarence was a funny guy to be around at work. I remember back at the old vtd we had a roll call in a little break room way back in the corner one day. There was a glass window & Clarence was on the outside of the room making funny faces behind the watch commanders back. We were all laughing so hard & every time the watch commander turned around Clarence quickly went back to straight face. Fun guy fun times to be a cop. I remember when he spray painted his tennis shoes black & we were all amazed at his joking with management. I made motors in 10-94 the year he was killed in the northridge earth quake. The overpass that came down in the earthquake is named the Clarence Wayne Dean memorial overpass. I want his family to know he was a great guy & made work a fun place to be. I never got to work motors side by side with Clarence but wish I could have. I think the plaque on the wall with his spray painted tennis shoes is still at VTD. Godspeed my motor brother you were missed by many but never forgotten we loved your joking around.

Rich Prindle P2+2 Motors
LAPD retired

January 6, 2021

I was reflecting on that day and as a motorcycle officer myself I often remember this officer’s sacrifice. I came here because I could not remember his name. Although he will always be my brother, I needed to remember him by name.

S/R Deputy DDJ
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department

October 7, 2020

I just saw a photograph of the aftermath of the earthquake. I was on that collapse section of freeway that morning when Officer Dean drove off the collapsed section. I will never forget the circumstances of that early morning. And never forget him. I attended his funeral and spoke to his son and daughter. I only wish I could’ve done more. He will always be a true hero in my mind and dedicated officer. Rest in peace.

Retired Sgt. Anthony Brown
Los Angeles Airport Police

January 22, 2020

Ha! I was working the night of the spray painted tennis shoes described by my good, departed friend “JJ”. Leave it to “weird Wayne” to come up with that solution. He did keep us all laughing. So many years later, the mere thought of Wayne makes me smile. Cops are truly family like no other.

Timothy Smith. Sergeant II
LAPD retired

July 6, 2019

Officer Dean,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Los Angeles. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 17, 2019

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

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 17, 2018

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 21, 2017

God bless you brother, your family and fellow officers!!

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

January 17, 2017

I always think of this brave officer and wanted to pay my respects. God bless

J.JAYNES
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

January 5, 2017

I worked several years with Wayne. He was quite a joker and always had the other officers in the station laughing.

One true story about Wayne... My daughter was dating his son. Late one afternoon, his son called his dad and asked him to let her know that he wasn't going to be able to make it for that date because he had to work late.

Wayne called my daughter and relayed the message, but he told her "not to worry" - HE (Wayne) was going to pick her up and take her on that date.

My daughter said Wayne was a true gentleman and had her laughing in stitches all evening. He even had her home before her curfew time.

I retired soon after his demise. I know his son was trying to get onto the LAPD, but I never found out if he was successful.

Rest in eternal peace my friend. You are not forgotten.

Policeman James Van Riper
LAPD - Valley Traffic Division

October 15, 2016

I live in Lancaster and 5 days a week I drive back and fourth to the valley for work as many others do. I think of you every time I pass the interchange. The day the freeway fell I was driving north not aware of your unfortunate fate. I wish I could have been there for you, I was nearly 19 at the time. My father was driving me home fearful my mom did not know we were safe. You will never be forgotten. I will always remember you.

Susie Guevara
Dental Assistant

December 16, 2015

Officer Dean you never knew me but I think of you often and for some reason these last few days I've been thinking about you a lot. Maybe its because of the horrible way pasted from this life,or I'm having a vision of a earthquakes to come. Whatever the reason RIP And know you are not forgotten.

Bruce Watson
great full

November 6, 2015

You are remembered sir. Rest in peace.

Alexis Medina
Citizen

April 20, 2015

Hello Wayne,
It's been a long time since the accident but you haven't been forgotten. I think of you often. I'm grateful for the good times and wild laughter you shared with us while we were growing up. You were the cool dad, and always will be. Thank you for your friendship, it was an honor knowing you. Say hi to James Dean and Elvis for me xoxoxoxo.

Carolyn Lowe Slaughter
friend

July 3, 2014

I think of you every time I pass that way, remembering officers who put their lives on the line every morning of every day.

Sheila Mears
Member of the public

January 17, 2014