Police Officer Clarence Wayne Dean

Officer Dean Saved My Life,

My wife found this page as we were reflecting about our experience during the earthquake. I was unaware that it existed until now.

I lived in Palmdale and worked at LAX. The morning of the earthquake I was driving on Fwy 14 toward the 5 interchange (driving too fast as usual).

A motorcycle police officer (later I found to be Officer Dean) pulled up next to me on the left side. I was surprised, took my foot off the gas and began coasting down. Fully expecting for him to pull me over.

Officer Dean paced me for a brief moment; he stared directly at me and offered a big grin. I grinned back, relieved that he was not going to pull me over.

Officer Dean, looked forward, accelerated away from me and rode off into the dark.

I continued to slow down and shortly after my chance encounter, the shockwave of the earthquake hit.

Initially it didn't register with me that there was an earthquake, and the overpass had collapsed.

I arrived at the collapsed section (thanks to Officer Dean I had slowed down) and pulled up to the edge of the overpass next to another motorist that had stopped.
I backed down the overpass telling other motorists that the overpass had collapsed.

I did not find out until later that day that Officer Dean had lost his life just ahead of me.

I have thought countless times of this encounter. Mournfully to know that he lost his life, thankfully that I was able to return home that day to my family.

I attribute the saving of my life to Officer Dean.

I was most likely the last person that he encountered that day. I will remember for the rest of my life his giant joyful grin as he rode away from me.

Gods Speed Officer Dean, may God Bless you and your loved ones.

Thank you for your many years of Service and your final act of kindness to me.

Erich Arbogast

Civilian Erich Arbogast
Citizen Saved by Officer Dean

November 15, 2025