Behind the Badge
On Nov. 19, 1940, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputies Ezra Stanley and Carl Pryor were on patrol along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach when a drunk driver slammed into their car from behind.
The impact caused the car to thrust more than 150 feet from the point of impact and strike a post along PCH, puncturing the gas tank and causing the car to burst into flames.
Members of the OC Sheriff’s Department and Huntington Beach PD attend a ceremony honoring Deputy Ezra Stanley on Nov. 19.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Pryor managed to escape from the burning vehicle, but was unsuccessful in his attempt to free Stanley, who was pinned tightly inside the car and was unconscious.
The vehicle was completely charred from front to back and Stanley died at the scene.
Stanley, who was 50, was a six-year veteran of the OCSD and left behind his wife, Bernice.
Dignitaries and members of the OCSD and HBPD gather at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in the area along Pacific Coast Highway where Deputy Ezra Stanley was killed in 1940 by a drunk driver.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Nearly 80 years later, the Huntington Beach Police Department is making sure Stanley’s ultimate sacrifice is memorialized forever.
On Nov. 19, the 78th anniversary of Stanley’s line-of-duty death, members of the OCSD and Huntington Beach Police Department, along with other local officials, gathered at the wetlands at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve near the site of the crash to honor the fallen deputy by dedicating a street sign in his name.
With the Bolsa Chica wetlands behind him, OC Undersheriff Don Barnes talks about Dep. Ezra Stanley, who was killed Nov. 19, 1940 by a DUI driver in the area along PCH.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“When people pass by Deputy Stanley’s sign, it will be an opportunity to think of him, his family, his coworkers, and our current and former public safety professionals,” said HBPD Lt. David Dereszynski, who headed a committee to devise a way to memorialize the three peace officers who have died in the line of duty in Huntington Beach.
“While Deputy Stanley served almost a century ago, the dangers to our current and future employees have not changed,” Dereszynski said. “It is for this very reason that we need to keep Deputy Stanley’s name and the names of all other fallen public safety personnel alive in our hearts and minds.”
OC Undersheriff Don Barnes, left, Assistant Sheriff Bob Peterson and Commander Dave Sawyer stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of a ceremony honoring Deputy Ezra Stanley.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
With an HBPD and OCSD honor guard standing at attention on both sides of the sign post, OCSD Undersheriff Don Barnes unveiled the street sign, which displays an image of the OCSD badge and the words, “Deputy Ezra Stanley End of Watch, 11-19-1940.”
“Sadly, 78 years ago is a story that we are still telling today,” Barnes said. “Our law enforcement and our partners in public safety in fire are still putting their lives on the line every day, and bad things are still happening.”
OC Undersheriff Don Barnes unveils a new street sign honoring Dep. Ezra Stanley, who was killed by a DUI driver in 1940, while OCSD Honor Guards Ginna Ricci, left, and Patrick Medeiros salute during the Nov. 19 ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Barnes referenced the recent death of Capt. Mike Kreza, of the Costa Mesa Fire Department, who was off duty while riding his bicycle when he was struck by an allegedly intoxicated driver.
Stanley is among nine OCSD deputies who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Huntington Beach Police Chief Rob Handy welcomes guests to the ceremony honoring Deputy Ezra Stanley.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
His memorial also is one of three being unveiled in Huntington Beach to honor fallen officers.
On Oct. 13, the city unveiled a street sign honoring HBPD Officer Leo Roy “LeRoy” Darst, who was killed on that date in 1928.
OC Undersheriff Don Barnes talks about Deputy Ezra Stanley who, back in 1940, was killed in the area by a DUI driver. OCSD Honor Guards Ginna Ricci, left, and Patrick Medeiros stand guard next to the sign, yet to be unveiled, honoring Stanley.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
In December, the city will commemorate HBPD Officer Leslie James Prince, who died in the line of duty on Dec. 1, 1974.
OCSD deputies gather next to the new street sign along Pacific Coast Highway honoring Deputy Ezra Stanley, who was killed in the area in 1940 by a drunk driver.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Members of the OC Sheriff’s Department gather with members of the Huntington Beach PD after the unveiling of a street sign honoring Dep. Ezra Stanley, who was killed near the same location by a DUI driver in 1940.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
