Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you Sgt. Wagers for your leadership. I will always remember your notes, "SEE ME"...You had a positive impact on the Santa Ana area. You will never be forgotten.

Officer Bill Long
CHP

November 5, 2003

Strong, hard-working, dependable, trustworthy, dedicated. These are all words that I would use to describe my father. While that in itself is meaingful,it became even more meaninful to hear his fellow officers and friends use these same words. Hearing Gov. Gray Davis of California call him a hero at his memorial service further drove those ideas in to me. Pehaps we all have these ideas of our parents, but to see the impact that he had on the lives of so many really made me appreciate how true those feelings were. My advise is, get to know your father, and tell him you love him.

His son/ Garhett Wagers

Gary was a wonderful friend and neighbor. The Nathan family was so pleased when Gary and Linda recently returned to Sacramento and to our neighborhood. Gary will be missed by us all.

Daily when I see another CHP/law enforcement officer I am reminded how much you all do for us and the daily risks you take. To Gary and all his fellow officers THANK YOU.

Kathe Nathan
Friend and neighbor

I've had the privilege of knowing Gary (and Linda) for almost 16 years. In that time, I saw a true officer and gentleman as he served as husband and friend. Gary was always pleasant and in control. He was thoughtful and always remembered the little things in their marriage. And he was most generous in providing a good home, as he did with treating for dinners and get-togethers. He was a nice man and I will miss his wonderful gift-of-gab and friendship.

Lynne Coyne
friend of Gary & Linda

My husband was dedicated to excellence within himself and his department. He believed in honesty, integrity and hard work. During his years on patrol he never wavered from his duty, he did not adjudicate traffic violations on the side of the road, he believed in writing a ticket and letting the judge decide. He always worked his share of wrecks and backed up his beat partner. He was sometimes characterized as a "hot pencil", because he believed in doing his job, and he never had patience for those who did not "work for a living".

Gary only reluctantly went up for sergeant. For years he resisted my suggestions to promote, saying "I love being a road dog". Eventually, he agreed to take the sergeant's test because the younger officers with less time on the job than he had were becoming his supervisors and he didn't like that. And after one too many foot pursuits he finally had to agree that the road was a young man's job. He was never sorry after he promoted to sergeant, because he found he loved training and guiding young officers. He was a graveyard sergeant because that was when all the excitement happened and when the bosses were not around. I understand that being on graveyard was a much-sought-after shift by the officers in the Santa Ana Area office where he spent 7 years before his recent transfer to Woodland.

Gary loved the CHP and he cared deeply for the officers he supervised. He spoke about his officers a lot, and I know he guided many an officer's career with strength and fairmindeness. Many times I heard him proclaim "good officer" about one officer or another, a term which meant he respected the abilities and dedication of that officer. It was his highest praise. Now I'd like everyone to know, Gary Wagers was a good officer!

Linda Wagers

Gary was a friend and patriot. Gary served his country valiantly in Vietnam and was an expert on U.S. war history.

Gary was a co-worker and he lived life passionately. He had just recently pinned the badge on his daughter, a new police officer in Largo, Florida. Gary did not talk duty to country- HE LIVED IT!!

Sergeant Sam Knight
CA HIGHWAY PATROL

The Orange County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving grieves over the loss of this outstanding human being and excellent law enforcement professional. Gary was a great trainer and DUI resource for everyone involved in the fight against impaired driving. The passionate diligence of Gary and Linda have resulted in untold numbers of lives being saved. Their contributions to the well-being of all Californians cannot be overstated and will not be forgotten.

On behalf of those he worked so hard to "protect and serve" for so many years, MADD, Orange County says "Rest in peace, our friend."

Bob Marlowe

Volunteer - Law Enforcement Liaison

MADD,Orange County

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Orange County Chapter

MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND Gary.........

cadet mario luna
WHITTIER PD

GOD BLESS YOU GARY. I MISS YOU VERY MUCH. YOU WERE LIKE A FATHER TO ALL OF US SANTA ANA YARD DOGS. I STILL HEAR YOUR VOICE IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD YELLING AT ME TO FILL OUT THE DS 367 RIGHT OR THE PAS CHECKLIST. YOU HAD THE SOUL OF AN IRISHMAN AND IF THERE IS A HEAVEN (AND I HOPE THERE IS) YOU ARE UP THERE SIPPING A PINT OF GUINNESS CONTEMPLATEING HOW JACKED UP THE PATROL IS WITHOUT YOU. WE ARE AT A LOSS WITHOUT YOU.

BILL 13987

OFC BILL KENNY
CHP

Strong, Dependable, Honest, Caring and Loving is how I will remember my father. He had an incredable ammount of integrity and was an amazing mentor. As I grew up in life he was also my hero. So I guess it was not a surprise to anyone when I chose to follow in his footsteps. Everyday I go out on the road I talk to him and know he is with me in spirit. I ask him to watch out for me and help me develop in my career and become a "Good Officer". I suspect his opinon would proably be biased. I believe if I can become at least half the officer he was I will not only be good but one of the best. Everyday I get dressed and start my patrol car I think of my father. I remember when I was a young girl and he would bring his car home. I would sit in the passenger seat excited about the job and could not wait to join him someday. At last I finally get to drive and I know he rides shotgun with me everyday.

Patrol Officer Shelly Wagers
Largo Police Department

Although your tour of duty is over, you will never be forgotten! May God bless you, your family and your co-workers. Rest in peace my brother.

Motor Officer Don Cone
San Diego Police Department

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department