Friends pay tribute to Hawthorne Detective Jeffrey Rand

Rest in Peace! You will be missed. Miles apart once out of the Marines, But never forgotten!! SEMPER FI, SEE YOU IN HEAVEN

Jeff was a very special friend to me for several reasons. First off, we went to grade school, middle school, and high school together in Ohio. He visited me at college and when I graduated and moved to California, he was already living here. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes out here. Everyone says he was like a brother...if everyone says it; it must be true!
We had so many great times together. He was the type of guy that commanded respect and gave it effortlessly. I always thought that we would grow old and raise families around one another. I can't believe he's gone! Too soon! Way too soon.
Jeff, I love you like a brother because that is just what you are!

I had met Jeff through his detachment commander in Iraq, LtCol. Frank Simone. Frank always spoke very highly of Jeff describing him as a true Marine's marine. Meeting Jeff in person on several occasions was a true honor and priviledge. His gung-ho attitude and love for country and corps was inspirational. Jeff's loss will be felt by all who knew him.

Jeff was my greatest friend and will sorely miss him. We grew up together in ashtabula and I have known and kept in touch with him constanly over the last 28 years. He was more than a friend, he was family, and I feel as though a part of me is gone. You will be in my thoughts and wishes my brother.

-Ace

I met Jeff when he first applied to work for the City of Hawthorne. Once appointed as one of Hawthorne's sworn police officers, Jeff became a great friend of mine. I saw him often as we both were employed for the same City. Jeff always made it a point to chat with me every chance he had. I will truly miss him and will always remember his sweet smile and disposition -and the manner by which he always spoke about his mother and sister with such love and affection. Jeff, you were an inspiration to many and you will be greatly missed!

Jeff and I have been great friends for over 20 years and I never had a more loyal friend then Randino. No matter what role Jeff was in, be it as a husband, son, brother, friend, police officer or Marine he was the true definition of dedication and loyalty. Jeff convinced me to join the Marines with him in 1993 and we went to bootcamp on the buddy program, and it shaped my life forever, I owe Jeff so much that words cannot possibly express the pain I feel knowing he is gone. I will miss all the great times we had together, especially with our boys from back home, Chris, Ace, Brian, Scott, and Brad. Jeff loved being a Marine and a Police Officer, but more than anything he loved his family and friends unconditionally. Jeff we laid you to rest today right next to your dad and I know you are watching over us now. We will miss you forever and I one day I will see you in heaven brother. You are a hero and we are all proud to have been a part of your life. Semper Fi devil dog!

Jeff you were a wonderful cousin, the entire family is so proud of all that you have accomplished. I will miss our talks and the beers we shared on the back deck when you came home to Ohio to visit. There are just no words to describe what we are feeling right now, we will see you again one day and until that day you will forever be in our hearts.
We love you!

"I LOVE YOU" is the first thing that comes to mind. I met Jeff in Iraq and was his security team that was attached to him during OIF 1. The first thing he did was ask me my name. I said Cpl oakes and he said his name was Jeff. That right there told me he was on the up and up. The next thing he said was what made us get along. He was from Ohio and so was I. At the start Jeff and I had relationship like no other, we connected. We went threw situations that tested our brotherhood and put us in situations to save each others lives. The entire team (you know who you are) put ourselves in danger 24/7 to accomplish the mission statment. From riots, to devil's spit, to the bank, to training, to Grenades. I made a brother, a friend, a...... I found a person that I would sell my soul to allow him to be the happiest man on earth. I cant put into words how much I love Jeff. The man was the smartest Marine, cop I know. He could shoot the hair off a nat's ass. Everyone says Jeffs is watching over us, yes that is true but, I know he is right over my shoulder next to me just like he was when we were in Iraq. This is for Jeff: " Let me rewind time, back to the insident of the grenade. Have the event actually follow threw the way it should have happened to take away what is now." I love you..........

I met Jeff in Iraq while serving over there. Those of us in Karbala who hung in "El Rancho Relaxo" will never forget the times we spent together. Jeff you were like a brother to me over there and Ill miss ya. Hey Jeff "hop on the team come on in for the big win." He did his job over there and those who know him should be proud.

Jeff, it's been over a month since you left us but it feels like only yesterday when we were laughing about life. I miss your camaraderie, your friendship, your words of wisdom and sharing my crazy life with you and vice-versa. I hope and pray you are chilling with your dad and gramps in heaven bud! Korina and Brandon miss you tons! Hopefully one day the holes left in our hearts are filled with peace and joy.

Until we meet again!

Late.

G.

Jeff, It's hard to beleive that you had passed away. Since 2002, we never meet each other untill now and for my whole life .
You are really nice and kind as everybody said.
Because you are heart in mind.

You are the few the Pround , The Marine ...Jeff

Miss you Jeff,

Kob Khun Ka
Poom

i remember you from hawthorne, and also sharkeez in hermosa beach , patron was always on our happy hours menu , and you always smacked the pd boble heads around a lot ! we would always tap our dring on the bar before we drank ! we miss you dearly my brother ! , i dare the rand research group in santa monica to prove you wrong , thank you for all the sample bio stuff and camcorder video clips before the war began in iraq ! ps i wont tell !

He was my brother,,,my little brother,,there is no idealism that will bring MY brother back. All I can see is my, and others failures to see what was the truth,,,what the weakness was ,,,as you are all obviously weak..weak bitches,,,yes I am bitter,,but you loved him so much and reveared him,,but saw nothing wrong,,,you weren't friends or were you blind,,I love how PRETTY you can make it,,,FUCK YA ALL!!!!!!!I hope you catch yours before you .....................................................

I worked with Rand at HMX-1. I remember he always talked about being a police officer when he left the Marine Corps. We were all good friends at HMX-1. It is very sad to find out that he has passed. May God put a hedge of protection over his wife and mother.

wow i cant belive this!! Officer Rand was a great COP i dont like COPS @ all however Ofiicer Rand was a good MAN AND A GREAT COP he used to stop me all the time in streets of Hawthorne Ca and talk to me Hawthorne Police will never be the same i dont think any Cop can take his place he will be miss alot not only by other cops and family he will most miss from the guys and ladies who he stop and talk to in Hawthorne Ca
My heart just hurt so much when someone told me about this.
R.I.P. Officer Rand we love you and miss you from all the guys and ladies in Hawthorne Ca

what is that all about? "weak bitches"? Jeff was an amazing friend! he put 110% into anything he put his mind to.. where does "weakenss" come into play there???
some of us may not know the 'dark secrets' if any, of Jeff.. i assume there are family issues that werent revealed.. no need to call the people who loved him "weak bitches".. you should be grateful your dear brother had so many people who loved him.. some people leave this earth un-noticed. NOT JEFF!! You call yourself a sister?? would you rather people talk shit?? it is what it is, you're right, nothing can bring him back.. but he will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.. and you should be proud of that alone, not to mention all his achievements! he achieved more in his short life than most do in a full 100 year life span.
Jeff, you were an amazing friend, an AMAZING Amercian, you raised the bar man! and from what i hear an amazing officer! nobody is perfect, everyone makes mistakes.. but im not sure what his sister is talking about with this "weak bitches" comment, im left scratching my head after reading that one.
Jeff, just wondering if they have "romantic movies" in heaven?? ah haa haaa!!!!

To the person responding to Heather Rand's
comment. Not understanding her comment.

Yes, Jeff was one incrediable man,marine, son,
brother and friend.

Heather isn't disputing that, she love him and was very proud of him. that's why she
is hurting so much.

She wasn't there that night, neither was I.
But think I know what she meant. They didn't
have his back. They didn't watch out for him
as friends should have. (They knew what was
going on)
She's broken, as I am, and angry as I am.
He's death could of been preventable.

I miss him terribly.

Sorry. I was off for a few days.

what the fuck author, put my comments on here!!

To Anonymous: Why can't you put your name up there? You can have a voice but scared to have a face!!!

I like how you use "They" as a derogatory term. If you knew Jeff as well as I did, you would know that he only let certain people come to his house. Certain people he could trust. He didnt share alot with anyone, unfortunately part of that comes with being a Marine, combat Veteran.

It pisses me off to no end to hear you say that WE didnt have his back. You want to know what having his back means there jackass! How about jumping on a fucking grenade in Iraq for Jeff. His TRUE friends were always there, and Jeff would tell you himself.

I still cry myself to sleep at night when it gets to much, and I hold his dog tag wishing that I could trade places with him. I know his sister and mothers true colors, tell me this. Where in the Hell were they when Diana had to deal with things? How much did they try and bond together with her and everyone help each other?

Ill tell you, no fucking where, sitting on their lazy asses in Ohio doing nothing. Nothing but a bunch of mooching low lifes. Remember before you respond, of the truth some people know.

Jeff was a great, awesome cop. I knew him from the police academy and from working in Pacific Division with him. He loved to catch the bad guy and loved life more than he feared death.

Wow.. I was in a relationship with Jeff for several years. .. Engaged for a while. I pinned his Hawthorne PD badge on him. I was also an Lapd officer.. so understand all of the police dynamics and loyalty. I am so sorry for your loss Diana. I understand Heather's anger. She adored her baby brother and hoped he would be better cared for in an altered state. What a tragic accident. I can't say I haven't mixed alcohol and prescription meds myself. I do know Jeff would be mortified having his death ruled a "drug overdose". That's not who he was.. At all. He was a good, law abiding person. Nothing will bring him back. Although we parted, he deserved a long full life. Please respect that. Shannon Maher