Javier Bejar, age 28, of Clovis, Ca. suffered injuries in the line of duty on Thursday, February 25, 2010, and passed away on March 1, 2010. Born in Mexico on December 3, 1981, Javier is son to Wenceslao and Saloma Bejar. His family immigrated to the United States and settled in the Central Valley in 1985. Javier grew up in the Orange Cove area and graduated from Reedley High School in 2000. He later attended California State University, Fresno and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology. Javier married the love of his life, Miriam, a childhood friend in 2008. Living by a code of honor, Javier's motto was "Mind, Body, and Spirit." He showed this code in high school when he joined the Explorers program with the Reedley Police Department, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Javier joined the Marines in 2000 and served a tour of duty in Iraq and Kuwait. While in the Marines, Javier earned several honors including the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Meritorious Mast. After being honorably discharged in 2004, Javier returned to the Central Valley and attended the Fresno City Police Academy. Javier joined the Reedley Police Department in 2005 where he quickly became a top officer. He earned Officer of the Year in 2008 and a life-saving medal in 2009. One of Javier's passions as an officer was anti-DUI efforts and he was recognized three years in a row for these efforts, receiving a state-wide honor in 2008. During his years of service with the Police Department in Reedley, Javier served as a field training officer, was part of his department's color guard, and was second in command for the department's Rapid Deployment Team-a team he worked to establish. Javier demonstrated his continual commitment to the Explorers program volunteering countless Saturday and Monday nights as senior advisor, drill instructor, and physical trainer. Since one of Javier's greatest wishes was to help other law enforcement families in their time of need, he registered to be a donor with the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Javier felt honored to serve his country, his community, and was dedicated to his family. Miriam and the Bejar family want to thank all of the Reedley, Clovis, Fresno, Selma and all other Police Departments, as well as the community for their support and love during this difficult time. Javier is survived by Miriam, his dearly beloved wife; parents, Wenceslao and Saloma Bejar; his brothers and sisters, Monico Pineda, Angel Bejar, Maricela Bejar Chavez, Orlando Bejar, Omar Bejar, Nelson Bejar and Daisy Bejar. A Funeral Service will be held at the Fresno Convention Center, New Exhibit Hall, 848 "M" Street, Fresno, on Monday, March 8, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. Interment follows at Reedley Cemetery, 2185 S. Reed Ave., Reedley. A Memorial Fund for the Javier Bejar family has been established and donations may be made at any local Chase Bank branch in the name of Javier Bejar. CHAPEL OF THE LIGHT FUNERAL HOME 1620 West Belmont Avenue Fresno, Ca. (559)233-6254

commemorative bench sits next to the military memorial at Reedley Cemetery

More than 300 people gathered at the Reedley High School football stadium Sunday night to remember Javier Bejar, the city's first police officer killed in the line of duty.

"Our community lost a brave and honorable man," Reedley Police Chief Steve Wright told the crowd in the stands. "He started out every day with a passion and compassion to serve a community and a country that he loved so much."

Bejar, 28, was mortally wounded during a Feb. 25 shootout in Minkler that also claimed the life of Fresno County sheriff's deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and injured a second deputy. The suspect, 51-year-old Ricky Liles, later killed himself.

Bejar, who suffered a head wound, died last Monday after he was taken off life support. His funeral in Fresno today is expected to draw law enforcement officials from across the state.

Sunday's candlelight vigil was a somber 35-minute affair that drew Reedley residents, friends of Bejar and people in law enforcement who wanted to show their respect. Bejar's family watched from the stadium announcer's booth. Vigil organizers said they did not want to draw attention away from Bejar.

Wright thanked the law enforcement agencies that picked up patrol duties when Reedley officers were unavailable. About half the department was involved in the Minkler standoff and were automatically given administrative leave for debriefing.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims described Bejar as a peacemaker and public servant who knew his role well.

Then she told Wright: "Of all of our experiences that we've been through together, this is one I wish we didn't have to share. But we are, and we'll make it through."

Other speakers echoed their wish for healing for Bejar's family, the department and the community. Then those in the stands lit candles, the stadium lights were dimmed and a singer performed the song "The Wind Beneath My Wings."

Several of those who attended said they came to honor a man they knew and respected.

Thomas Rodriguez of Reedley said his son and Bejar attended the police academy together and the two young men would come to his house to study.

"He was such a humble man. He would do anything to help people," Rodriguez said. "I'm just devastated. I want to honor him."

Bejar's memorial service is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. today at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall, 848 M St.

A funeral procession will take Bejar to Reedley Cemetery, where a graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Residents of Reedley come out to pay tribute during the procession along Reed Ave. for slain Reedley police officer Javier Bejar.