Cal State Fullerton Police Chief Byrnes Dies

Cal State Fullerton Police Chief Daniel A. Byrnes has died after a brief illness, university officials announced Wednesday.

The 51-year-old police chief, who suffered a brain hemorrhage Feb. 26, died Tuesday night at UCI Medical Center in Orange, university spokesman Jerry Keating said.

Byrnes, who lived in Orange, had undergone surgery recently at the medical center to repair an aneurysm in his brain, but surgeons were unable to complete the procedure.

Byrnes had the unique distinction of being both a graduate of Cal State Fullerton and its chief of police. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1983 and was hired as a lieutenant with the campus police in 1984. He got a master’s degree in public administration at the university in 1986.

Two years later, he was promoted to chief of police and director of public safety, supervising a department of 16 sworn peace officers, 21 regular staff members and 30 student community service assistants.

Department employees mourned his passing Wednesday.

“It’s real hard on all of us, because he was well liked, loved and respected,” said Assistant Police Chief William D. Huffman, who is serving as acting chief. “It wasn’t just a job. He was part of the university.”

“He was a special person,” added a dispatcher for the department who declined to give her name. “I’ve been working with police departments for about 14 years, and I can tell you that top administrators who listen to women and think other people’s opinions are valid are few and far between. . . . He really cared about the employees themselves.”

Byrnes is survived by his widow, Judy, a secretary in the campus president’s office. He is also survived by his three grown sons from a previous marriage, Dan, Steve and Lance.

Funeral and memorial service arrangements were pending late Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in Byrnes’ memory to the Cal State Fullerton Foundation.