Newport Beach police Sgt. Randy Parker, who died last week, considered a ‘top level’ cop

People who worked with the late Newport Beach Police Department Sgt. Randy Parker Jr., who passed away of natural causes on Oct. 25, recalled him fondly and remarked on his professionalism this week.

“Randy was a remarkably respected, admired and effective detective sergeant,” said Tom Gazsi, a former Newport Beach police officer of 32 years. “More importantly, he was an exceptional father, husband and dear friend to all who knew him. He will be missed by all who know and love him.”

Parker’s death was announced “with profound sadness” by Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis, who in his statement said “Randy was a third generation NBPD officer and served the Newport Beach community as a patrol officer, detective and supervisor for over 20 years. Randy’s sense of humor and unwavering dedication to duty will never be forgotten.”

Parker, a resident of Mission Viejo, was 44 at the time of his death, which was caused by bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli and other conditions, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer, Sgt. Todd Hylton.

Jim Kaminsky, a retired captain with the NBPD, said this week he’d worked not only with Parker, but with family members who preceded him on the job.

“I not only knew ‘Junior,’ as we refer to him, but I knew his grandfather Jim Parker [a former NBPD captain and later chief of police in Reno] and worked in several specialized units within the NBPD with Junior’s father Randy [Sr.],” said Kaminsky. “I had the honor of working with Junior over the years and found him to be a top level police officer.

“When our job gets tough, some shy away,” Kaminsky continued. “In Junior’s case, when the job got tough he wanted all in. May he rest in peace and his family be taken care of.”

On Oct. 26 the department honored Parker with a procession to Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park.

He is survived by his wife, Heidi and by their young daughter and son, who are twins.

The Peace Officer Research Assn. of California has established a “Fund A Hero: In Memory of Sgt. Randy Parker Jr. Fund to help with funeral costs and other immediate needs. As of late Wednesday afternoon, $61,761 had been raised toward its $250,000 goal.

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