Family, friends say final farewell to hometown hero

May 15, 2008 06:34 am

— ASHTABULA — Jeffrey P. Rand Jr.’s long journey home ended Wednesday with loving words, the silent tribute of his fellow police officers who walked in the procession, and the respect of many others who filled the pews at Mount Carmel Church.
It was not the homecoming his mother prayed for, when a young soldier somehow evades death during two tours of duty in Iraq, returns and becomes a police officer but then dies in his sleep on his 34th birthday.

It was a solemn, respectful and sad homecoming, witnessed by about 70 people, many of whom traveled from Southern California, where Rand had made his home for the past several years.

Pallbearers carried the ex-Marine’s flag-draped casket into the church foyer. The flag was then folded and the casket was carried to the front of the church as mourners sang “Amazing Grace.” Looking down on the casket was a large photograph of Rand in his Hawthorne, Calif., police uniform.
The 23rd Psalm opened the service and the Rev. Joseph Ruggieri of Mount Carmel Church began by offering Rand’s family and friends deepest sympathy from Ashtabula’s Catholic community.
“Even in darkness, the Lord is with us ... our faith can get us through,” he said. “Death isn’t the end of the story.”
Ruggieri said Rand’s life is a heroic example, leaving Ashtabula to a world most people can’t even imagine: the Marines, guarding President Clinton, War in Iraq, a decorated soldier, living in California, marriage and becoming a police officer.
“He lived life to the fullest while doing the best he could to be a model of justice,” Ruggieri said. “Well done my good and faithful servant, well done. (Matthew 25:13)”