Cougar Stadium came alive Saturday when the Rohnert Park Warriors played at home taking on the Santa Rosa Stallions. But this wasn’t just any football game. This one was particularly special as Warriors president Tracey Poueu-Guerrero spoke for a special dedication ceremony.
The peewee football team dedicated its entire season to the late Larry Jones, known throughout the community as Officer Friendly.
“Today is more than just a game day for the Warriors,” said Poueu-Guerrero to a crowd of several hundred. “Today is a day of remembrance for the people in our community.”
Poueu-Guerrero said since RP became incorporated, few names of those who laid the foundation for the city will be remembered. She named the city’s founder, the first mayor, the first historian and the first police and fire chiefs. “But one name stands out and is known by everyone from every facet of life and his name is Officer Larry Jones,” she said in her opening speech.
Jones was the first African-American hired by Rohnert Park Public Safety Department in 1973 where he worked for nearly 30 years, 18 of which he served as school resource officer for the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District. He passed away June 27 at age 66 after battling kidney cancer.
Jones is remembered as being completely approachable, often giving out his home number to kids needing help, creating a bond with them like no other officer ever has before or since. He spoke to kids on life skills, issues like drug and crime prevention, respect for parents and the importance of doing well in school completely dedicated to helping youth.
Off-duty, he was assistant coach for Rancho Cotate High School’s varsity softball team and he coached his daughter’s softball teams and other youth football teams for nearly three decades. His influence had so much impact on local families the high school dedicated and named the school’s circular driveway entrance “Officer Friendly Way.”
Many from the Jones family were in attendance for the ceremony including his wife, daughter and mother who received Hawaiian leis and grandchildren present received a Warriors T-shirt.
Poueu-Guerrero stated in her speech part of the mission of the Warriors’ program is based on a doctrine created “exactly the way Larry lived his life,” focusing on eight creeds: Integrity, character, academic success, discipline, respect, spirit, teamwork and commitment.
“He touched the lives of so many as a coach, mentor, protector and friend. We are blessed to have known him and grateful we can continue to share his influence with so many more,” said Poueu-Guerrero. She then presented the Jones family with a dedication plaque.
Prior to the ceremony, wife Carolyn Jones said the whole idea behind the dedication came about when her nephew Fred Cincera asked her if he could ask the Warriors to do something in Larry’s honor. The Poueu and Cincera families have known each other for the nearly 40 years they’ve resided in RP, making the Warriors the obvious choice to approach with his idea.
“Larry was all about youth, keeping them off drugs and helping them in any way he could,” said Carolyn. “Though many kids won’t remember him, this is a great tribute to him and now his legacy will live on.”
In addition to dedicating their football season, the Warriors are now wearing customized helmet decals of an RP police badge with the name Officer Friendly and Jones’ initials. Poueu-Guerrero said, “Each year our 10 teams will select one child who best exemplifies those Warrior creeds and this year, they will receive the award in Larry’s name.”
The Cincera family is also funding the first-ever Larry Jones Scholarship for any participant of the Warrior program. “Two will be selected - one will be funded by the Cincera family and the other matched by the Warrior program,” said Poueu-Guerrero.
Gladys Jones, Larry’s mother, beamed with pride as she entered the gates to the stadium. “He was a wonderful son and this is just incredible. It’s very much appreciated by the whole family.” With tears welling-up she added, “It’s very special for all of us.”
During the ceremony Public Safety Officer Jeff Nicks spoke on behalf of the RP Public Safety Department. With many officers in attendance, Nicks said, “Larry served our community, he served us individually and touched all of our lives. He was an influence in my career and in the careers of so many. We had a great opportunity to work side by side with him.” Nicks wears a life-saving pin on his uniform for an incident he was involved in where he saved a life.
“If Larry received a pin for every life he saved...” He paused, getting choked up. “There isn’t a uniform big enough to hold them all.”
“I know you showed your care and love for Lawrence and he shared his love for you,” said Gladys. “Many times he’d say to me, ‘I have go help this kid’ and I’d say, ‘well you’re running too much’ and he’d say, ‘well this is what I have to do.’ I want to thank God that He gave (Larry) the inspiration to do everything he did and do it well.”
Larry’s commitment and devotion to his work was consistently acknowledged throughout the years with awards including RP Citizen of the Year, Policeman of the Year, the State Juvenile Officers’ Association Outstanding Service award and the J. Edgar Hoover gold medal. He served as president on the board of trustees for the Community Baptist Church in Santa Rosa and participated as a member for the Sonoma County chapter of 100 Black Men.
Retiring in 2003, he continued coaching youth teams and also volunteered as a firefighter with public safety for about three years.