Frank R. Pedersen; Highway Patrol Officer

Frank R. Pedersen, an 18-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol and 1990 Officer of the Year for the Antelope Valley area, has died in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 42.

Pedersen, a resident of Lancaster, died Tuesday from complications of recent surgeries, according to CHP officials.

Born June 8, 1948, in Hjorring, Denmark, he came to the United States as a child and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1971.

The following year, he graduated from the CHP Academy as class valedictorian and was assigned to patrol work in the East Los Angeles area.

Seven years ago, Pedersen was transferred to the Antelope Valley, where he was named Officer of the Year in 1990 for his expertise in reconstructing traffic accidents.

He is survived by his wife of seven years, Darlene Pedersen; his mother, Dagmar Pedersen of Solvang; stepdaughters Denise Keser of Quartz Hill and Dawn Mountain of Lancaster; and three stepgrandchildren.

Visitation is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Murphy Mortuary, 154 E. Ave. I, Lancaster, which is handling the arrangements. A funeral Mass is scheduled to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 45007 N. Cedar Ave., Lancaster. A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Solvang.

Donations can be made in Pedersen’s name to the California Assn. of Highway Patrolmen Widows and Orphans Fund.