Crime and Courts

Signal Hill Police Chief Wayne Byerley dies at age 58

Wayne Byerly became chief of the department in the community north of Long Beach in May 2023.

Signal Hill Police Chief Wayne Byerley.
Signal HIll

Signal Hill Police Chief Wayne Byerley.

Signal Hill Police Chief Wayne Byerley died Wednesday evening after a medical emergency while working, the city announced Thursday.

He was 58.

Stream Los Angeles News for free, 24/7, wherever you are.

Watch button  WATCH HERE

Byerley became chief of the department in the community north of Long Beach in May 2023.

"He shared in the Centennial Celebration, deeply cared about the Signal Hill Police Department and community, and implored everyone to support one another," city said in a news release.

Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning with NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

Before joining the department, Byerley was a captain in the Los Alamitos Police Department. He retired from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as a division commander after 32 years of service.

"Chief Wayne Byerley’s leadership, optimism, and unwavering dedication to our community will leave a lasting legacy in Signal Hill," Mayor Keir Jones said. "We are deeply grateful for his service and profoundly saddened by his loss."

Byerley is survived by his wife and 15-year-old son.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Sketchers to go private with acquisition by global investment firm

Despite strong tourism earnings in 2024, California expects ‘challenging' year ahead 

Details about a cause of death were not available.

Contact Us