This Marine-Turned-Police Officer Is a Local Hero

Posted on October 29, 2012

by Wynne Love | photos by Spark Photography

It’s the kind of story you see on TV. A burning building, a woman trapped inside, and someone selflessly putting their life on the line for them, without hesitation. But this was real life, and the hero was a local father of two from Rancho Bernardo.

Chris Hays is no stranger to heroism. A former Marine Corporal who served in Iraq and South Korea, he is now a San Diego police officer. He received a lifesaving medal this year after running up to the second floor of a burning building and leading a trapped woman out through a smoke-filled stairwell as burning embers fell around them. Just one more lifesaving mission for Chris.

Now at the ripe old age of 28, Chris and his wife, Erika, are settled in the High Country West neighborhood of Rancho Bernardo with their two children, Carter, age 3, and Grayson, 1. “We love to spend time outside together,” shared Erika. “We like to go for walks with our boys and play sports with them. We also enjoy going to the beach.”

Like the Jones family, Chris and Erika appreciate the wonderful sense of community Rancho Bernardo provides. “It’s a great area to raise a family,” observed Erika. “We like that it is safe enough for our kids to play outside and we do not have to worry.” Erika should know. An RB native herself, she graduated from RB High and San Diego State University.

Chris completed high school in Hector, Arizona, and attended North Arkansas College before his four years in the Marines, graduating from the Police Academy in 2010. “We met while out in Pacific Beach with friends,” related Erika. “Chris was in the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton.”

Now they have built a life here in Rancho Bernardo, just a mile from Erika’s parents. Erika stays home with the kids and runs her own business, and when Chris is not protecting and serving the community, he spends as much time as he can with his boys. “Chris and Carter like to go fishing together,” noted Erika. “Grayson will join them when he is older!”

At A Glance

Parents: Chris Hays, 28. Erika Hays, 28
Community: High Country West
Parents Hometown: Chris – Hector, AR. Erika – San Diego, CA
Parents Occupation: Chris – Police Officer. Erika – Stay at Home Mom
Children: Carter Hays, 3 ½ years old, Community Christian Preschool. Grayson Hays, 17 months old
Pets: Foo, Chihuahua.

The Jones Family Throws Itself into Community Service

Many 92127 families use their free time to give back to their community by helping out at local events, serving on a board, or coaching a sport. And some families do all three.

Captain Mark Jones and his wife, Diane, have lived in Rancho Bernardo most of their adult lives and are part of the reason it’s such a safe, friendly community.

For the last 28 years, Mark has worked with the San Diego Police Department. “I am a Captain for the SDPD and command over 170 officers at Central Division in the Downtown area,” explained Mark. During his tenure, he has worked in Vice, Training, Special Enforcement, Economic Crimes, SWAT, Internal Affairs, and Narcotics, among others.

But that’s not all. Mark also volunteers on the Board of the 4S Ranch Foundation and the SWAT Association (a partnership with businesses in the community), is the Regional Director for the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, and has coached little league and pee-wee, JV, and Varsity football (his real passion). It is no wonder he recently received the San Diego Police Department’s Exceptional Performance Citation.

Diane has been a nurse and manager with Alvarado Hospital for nearly 34 years, and was named Nurse of the Year in 1992. Mark and Diane both work hard to stay healthy, so it’s no surprise how they first met.

“I met the love of my life while running around Miramar Lake and she was roller blading in the opposite direction,” related Mark. “I passed her twice and told her to slow down. Of course she did not, so I had to contact her in the parking lot to reprimand her and the rest is history.”

Mark and Diane now run a nutrition and weight loss business as well, with the help of their two children, Erika, 28, and Andrew, 26. “My wife and I love to work out and spend time with our kids and grandkids,” said Mark. “Getting people healthy is a passion of ours.”

So you may not be able to keep up with the Joneses as they run from work to board meetings to football games to workouts, but hopefully you can catch their fabulous holiday decorations, a consistent fore-runner in the annual 4S Ranch decorating contest.

At A Glance

Parents: Mark Richard Jones & Diane Jean Jones
Community: 1986 – Rancho Bernardo Community; 2006 – 4S Ranch
Parents Hometown: Mark – El Cajon; Diane – Chicago, IL (Arlington Heights)
Parents Occupation: Mark – SDPD/ Business owner-health coachDiane – Nurse manager at Alvarado Hospital/Business owner-health coach
Children: Daughter – Erika Hays (28) married to Chris with two kids Carter & Grayson Son – Andrew Wehn (26) married to Kristine.
Pets: Diane and I have two golden retrievers named Zeus and Hera.