Crime & Safety

Hayward Police Officer From San Ramon Dies After Motorcycle Crash

Officer Rodney Pierce died from injuries sustained after he hit a deer on Crow Canyon Road on Monday, May 11.

A Hayward police officer who lived in San Ramon died a few days after crashing his motorcycle on Crow Canyon Road last week, according to the Hayward Police Department.

Officer Rodney Pierce, 46, hit a deer while on his motorcycle on Monday, May 7. He died on Friday, May 11, according to Hayward Police, who didn't release any other details about what happened.

The accident occurred on Crow Canyon Road in unincorporated Alameda Country at about 5:45 a.m., a San Ramon Valley Fire District offical said.

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A memorial service will be held Friday at Chabot College's Reed L. Buffington Visual & Performing Arts Center, starting at 11 a.m. Family, police, students and community members will join in celebrating Rodney’s life and service to the City of Hayward.

Officer Pierce was well known throughout the Hayward community, Hayward police say. 

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He graduated from Hayward High School in 1984. An alum of Chabot College, he had been enshrined as a member of Chabot College’s Baseball Hall of Fame. He was instrumental in the Junior Giants Program; dedicated to teaching baseball skills to Hayward youths to help keep them active and positive during the summer vacation months. He was on his way to completing his Master’s Degree at Cal State East Bay.

Officer Pierce he served as a school resource officer in recent years at Hayward High School before transferring back to the beat. He was a member of HPD’s Special Response Team as part of the sniper unit. 

"Officer Pierce’s selfless nature was something that most others hope to attain and all who knew him regarded him with great respect and admiration," the Hayward Police Department said in a statement. "(We have) been rocked by this tragic loss."

Officer Pierce leaves behind his wife, Susan, and four children.


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