REDONDO BEACH, Calif. — Jeffrey Peter Rand, Jr., age 34, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2008, on his 34th birthday, at his home in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Jeff was born in Geneva, Ohio, on May 3, 1974, and graduated from Harbor High School in 1993.

After graduating, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served as a member of the presidential security detail, HMXI Helicopter Squadron, as a guard to President Clinton when he traveled.

Jeff joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1997, and worked there until 2001, when he accepted a position with the Hawthorne Police Department, and was recently promoted to a new position in their Detective Bureau.

Jeff entered the Marine Corp. Reserves in 1999, and was assigned to the 3rd Civil Affairs group at Camp Pendleton. Following the September 11th attacks, he was called back to duty and his unit was assigned to Iraq. Jeff’s unit fought in several battles against the insurgents. His unit captured one of the largest oil fields in Iraq, in an operation called the Crown Jewel, the story of which was featured on a television program entitled “Beyond Top Secret.” Jeff was one of the first Marines to enter Karbala, Iraq, where he and two other officers worked to rebuild the Iraqi Police Force from scratch, training and assisting their officers. Jeff was decorated for his heroic actions, he received the Navy Commendation Medal “V” device for Valor. He was also involved in the capture of the ninth most wanted person from the “Deck of cards.”

In addition to being commended and honored for his service in the Marine Corps, Jeff was highly esteemed by his superiors and fellow officers within the police department. They regarded him as an excellent police officer with a great “street sense” and absolute confidence when working the streets. They further described him as a man who was very dedicated to job performance, with emphasis on safety and tactics. They indicated he had a great rapport with people; always took the time to help a new officer "learn the ropes", and showed great compassion in dealing with victims. He was equally passionate in his dedication to his family and friends, and took great care to “be there for them.” He built great friendships wherever he went, whether in the Marines, L.A.P.D., Hawthorne P.D., his local neighborhood, or at his local gym.

The Mayor of Hawthorne, the Hawthorne City Council, the citizens of Hawthorne, and the U.S. Armed forces recognized and formally thanked Jeff for his dedicated and loyal service to his country, by issuing a declaration signed by the Mayor, making May 22, 2007 Jeffrey Rand Day. Jeff will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Diana (Marchado); mother, Kathleen Rand; sister, Heather Rand; niece, Meko Rand-Weil; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jeffrey Peter Rand Sr.; his maternal grandparents, June and Austin Evans; and his paternal grandparents, Charlene and Peter Rand.

Jeff is being honored by members of the Hawthorne Police Department and the Marine Corps with which he served, at a memorial service in Hawthorne, Calif., on Friday, May 9, 2008, attended by his mother and immediate family, who are very gratefully being treated like royalty by the Hawthorne Police Department.

He will then be returned to Ashtabula, where calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at ZABACK-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula, Ohio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 14, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 1200 East 21 St., Ashtabula. Interment will follow at Girard Liberty Union Cemetery in Girard, Ohio, where Jeff will receive full military honors and be laid to rest next to his father.

Contributions may be made to the family.

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