Remembering CHP's Finest - David M. Romero (9/23/2005)

Officer Dave Romero, I.D. 10116, liked to think about what was ahead of him in life, not behind. Tragically, while on his motorcycle at a stoplight on Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, it was a car behind him that took his life.

Born April 2, 1958, in West Covina, Calif., Officer Romero grew up in Hacienda Heights and attended Los Altos High School. Spending all but seven months of his CHP career at the Santa Fe Springs Area office, he liked to work near the same schools he attended, and never wanted to leave the community he loved.

Dave graduated from the CHP Academy on May 27, 1982, and was a motor officer for 21 years. He loved riding motors, and despite an on-duty shoulder injury, he never wanted to do anything else.

On Thursday evening, Sept. 22, Dave worked a "street racing" detail with other officers. The detail went into the early morning hours. Dave then reported for "A" watch and had planned to work through the morning commute hours and then utilize his personal leave credits to go home early, around 10 or 11 a.m. Shortly before 10 a.m. on Friday morning Dave was riding his departmental motorcycle northbound on Turnbull Canyon Road. He stopped in the No. 1 of 2 left turn lanes in order to make a left turn to westbound Valley Blvd. Dave was the only vehicle in that left turn lane. Dave was very familiar with this intersection. His friend Rene owned the tire shop on the southwest corner. Dave talked to Rene almost every day. Dave had friends at several restaurants in that area - and knew almost everyone at Haddicks Towing - on Valley Blvd, 100 yards west of Turnbull Canyon Rd.

David Lopez Saldana, age 26, was also driving northbound on Turnbull Canyon Rd., approaching Officer Romero's location.  Apparently Romero saw Saldana's vehicle approaching him from the rear because witnesses reported the motorcycle officer activated his rear emergency lights and used his arms in an attempt to gain the driver's attention. Saldana's vehicle continued toward Officer Romero without slowing - and struck him.  Officer Romero, and his motorcycle, were forced across the intersection.

After citizens called 911 and reached the CHP's Los Angeles Communications Center, "Officer down" was broadcast to both C.H.P. and allied agencies in the area. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy and lieutenant were the first to arrive, and they both began CPR on Officer Romero. They requested a helicopter and Officer Romero, being treated by paramedic personnel, was loaded in the Sheriff's Air Rescue 5 before any Santa Fe Springs personnel could arrive.  Rather than allowing Romero to be transported without anyone from his "CHP family," Baldwin Park Area Officer Mark Cadena, I.D. 16913, jumped into the helicopter with him. Officer Romero was flown to Los Angeles County Medical Center, and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Sandra Romero releases a dove in honor of her husband's memory.

Officer Chris Valencia, I.D. 9352, was one of Officer Romero's best friends. "After I met Dave, he talked me into transferring to Santa Fe Springs. Dave grew up in the Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights neighborhoods he now loved to patrol. He loved riding a motor - he spent 21 of his 23 years on a bike," he said at Officer Romero's funeral.

Valencia talked about some memorable moments the two shared while on the job. "Dave always wanted to do everything he could to help the state save money. For that reason he carried only a few CHP 555's (Collision Report) - and rarely wrote on them. This also saved the state lead for his pencil. Dave avoided taking paper whenever possible - but would make it up to you by taking you to a nice dinner or lunch - almost always at a place where he was friends with the owner and the meal would be free."

"One day it was raining," Valencia said. "All the motors were driving cars. Often senior motor officers are unfamiliar with some of the Department's new technology, like MDC's (Mobile Digital Computers). Dave was stopped with an occupied vehicle. Dave and I were talking to each other via cell phone - then, all of a sudden, Dave said, 'Chris, what does it mean when the screen starts flashing red?' I started laughing and said that means you're taking paper - you've got a stolen. A bunch of us rolled over there - not so much to back up Dave as to watch as he tried to put together a stolen vehicle report. Before Dave could pawn it off on anyone, we were gone."

Officer Ben Ray Sotelo, I.D. 9995, worked closely with Dave for many years. "He was very proud of being a motor," he said. "He liked working with the younger motor officers. Once he was with a young officer who was driving very fast. Dave, following slowly, pulled him over and said, 'You're riding a little too fast - where's the fire? You see, I showed up safe.'

One of Dave's favorite hobbies was to restore old cars. His close high school friend, who goes by Mondo, builds rear-end race cars. Dave and Mondo were working together to restore a late '60s performance car. "Dave was a super-nice guy," Mondo said. "His family was really important to him. One thing I'll always remember him saying was, 'I want to have the best for my family. I have to always think ahead - not behind."

Sandra Romero accompanies her son as he places a rose on his father's casket.

Dave was a devoted husband, loving father, brother, uncle and friend. He enjoyed coaching his children's sporting events, dirt bike riding with his kids and other CHP officers, water skiing, but mostly enjoyed playing practical jokes. Dave truly loved life and lived his life to the fullest.

The criminal investigation is being conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Homicide Bureau, and CHP Southern Division personnel are assisting homicide detectives in preparing the case for trial. According to Detective Sergeant Marsh, the suspect (Saldana) was arraigned on Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the Los Angeles Superior Court on two counts: 187 P.C. (Murder) and 191.5 P.C. (Gross vehicular manslaughter - while under the influence). Investigators believe Saldana was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the collision. Saldana has a criminal history that includes a DUI conviction for which he is currently on probation. The arraignment occurred at the same time as Officer Romero's funeral.

The funeral was attended by Dave's family, friends, co-workers, CHP Commissioners Mike Brown and Art Anderson and public safety personnel from throughout Southern California.

Dave is survived by his wife, Sandra; children Austin, Windsor and David; stepchildren Victor and Vanessa; brother Gregory Romero; sisters Lydia Huard and Sylvia Romero; and a host of other relatives and friends. He will be forever missed by his family, friends and the entire CHP family.