David Joseph Nelson, BHS 2007

David Joseph Nelson, BHS 2007

Greg Williamson, Chief of the Bakersfield Police Department in California sadly reports the death of Patrol Officer David Joseph Nelson. Officer Nelson, 26, attempted to make a traffic stop of an unlicensed silver Hyundai sedan. The driver of the suspect vehicle failed to stop as directed and fled from Officer Nelson.

A vehicle pursuit was initiated which came to an abrupt end when Officer Nelson lost control of his patrol unit and struck a retaining wall and a utility pole. The suspect continued to flee and is still at large. Back up officers located Officer Nelson and his patrol unit and they were able to extricate his from the patrol vehicle as it burst into flames. Officer Nelson was transported to Kern Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

The California Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation of the crash which led to Officer Nelson’s death. Officer Nelson was a two year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department.

He is survived by his parents and siblings. Officer David J. Nelson-gone, but never forgotten. EOW: Friday, June 26, 2015. Officer Nelson was a former Burbank Police Cadet and had grown up in Burbank and graduated from Burbank High School in 2007.

Edward "Ed" Hamner, BHS 1949

Edward "Ed" Hamner, BHS 1949 

Passed away on November 9, 2008 at the age of 77 in Lincoln, California. Edward was born in Burbank, California on October 4, 1921 to Dyson and Thelma Hamner. He married his high school sweetheart Elisa in 1951. They both attended Burbank High School, where Edward was a basketball star and Senior Class President. He started his civil engineering career in the family business Hamner Engineering. He finished his career at UBORA Engineering and Planning at the age of 75.

 Edward is survived by his sister Shirley Hegaman and brother-in-law Tom, sister-in-law Virgina (Genny) Hamner, three children Gary Hamner, daughter-in-law Sonnie, Denise Cannon, Teresa Starkey and son-in-law Roger, his grandchildren Traci Foderaro, Korry Cannon, Sherie Mahlberg, Wendy Ver Steegh, Michelle Eyman, Michael Cannon, Cheryl Starkey, Tyler Cannon and Roger Starkey Jr. as well as ten great-grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held at Kilaga Spring Lodge, 1167 Sun City Blvd., Lincoln, California on Saturday Nov. 15th at 13:00.

The Sacramento Bee, November 12, 2008

William "Bill" Cherroff, Former BHS Teacher

Cherroff, William "Bill" CARLSBAD -- Passed away on January 11, 2013; cause of death was pneumonia and complications due to influenza. Born in Los Angeles on January 23, 1927 to Benjamin and Bessie Cherroff. Survived by his sister Ruthie, his devoted wife Diana, his two loving children - Denise and Sam, and his three grandchildren. Bill attended Garfield High School prior to joining the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II, and continued his military service in the U.S. Army after the Armistice. Upon returning from the military, Bill got his bachelors degree in Biology from Los Angeles State College and USC, going on to get his teaching credential and eventually a Master's Degree in Education. Bill became a School Teacher with the Burbank school system where he continued to teach for the next thirty years until his retirement. He loved to golf, was an accomplished landscape artist, and was an enthusiastic painter. He became expert at most any hobby he chose to pursue, whether it was carpentry, stained glass, or just making toys for the grandkids. A celebration of his life will be on the third Sunday in March at his home in Carlsbad, CA.---------- Published in U-T San Diego on Jan. 27, 2013

Harvey Russell "Russ" Ling, BHS 1942

Harvey Russell "Russ" Ling, BHS 1942 Harvey Ling passed away on March 2, 2009 in Medford, Oregon, having been ill for several years. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 and served in the South Pacific area until 1945. He leaves four children and one brother, Jim, BHS 47. No other details at this time.