Vernon Paul Morrow

Vernon Paul Morrow was born in Downey, CA, on April 26, 1967, to Donald and Pauline (Shephard) Morrow. Known to most people as "Vern", he died in a tragic car accident near Bakersfield, CA, on November 23, 2019. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a trustworthy, honorable, and intelligent man. Vern served over 20 years as a federal law enforcement officer with distinction and the utmost dedication. His law enforcement family in Los Angeles has lost one of their best. His sudden passing has been heartbreaking to his entire family and long term friends. It is with great sorrow the follow obituary was written.

Vern grew up in Norwalk, CA with his younger brother Vigil, their parents and extended family. He attended 13 years of Catholic school, first at Saint John of God Church in Norwalk and then at Saint Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. Vern was extremely protective of his younger brother and watched over him from a young age. In fact, Vern was committed to everyone and everything in his life. As one of the youngest cousins in the Shephard family, Vern took on challenges with a stern attitude. He enjoyed riding motocross bikes and classic cars. When his mother enrolled her sons in the marital arts, Vern developed an early sense of self-discipline and confidence. He later earned a 3rd degree black belt.

After graduating from Saint Paul High School, Vern attended Cerritos College and studied law enforcement. His goal was solely to earn enough credits to transfer to a state university, then enlist in the navy to become an officer. While working and attending classes, he managed to find time to pledge for Sigma Phi fraternity. It was here he learned the true meaning of Brotherhood and become an advocate or "Superman" for those who needed one. He was a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and it was through this group of friends that he and his wife Christine first met. However, it wouldn't be until a decade later that they would start a long distance relationship and eventually marry. From Cerritos College, Vern transferred to California State University of Long Beach where he earned bachelor's degree in Law Enforcement with a minor in Shakespeare. He was truly a Renaissance man.

While in college, Vern worked several jobs, including delivering subpoenas as a process server and working in loss prevention at SavOn Drug Store. Upon graduation from college he delayed beginning his career so that he could stay close to home to help his family. In November 1991, his father passed away from a long term illness. Just a short 5 months later, Vern would then lose his only brother from an unfortunate gun accident. Virgil was 23 years old.

Newly graduated, Vern poured his energy into applying for local law enforcement, reading various philosophers, computer sciences and expanding his collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Vern enjoyed spending time with friends going to the movies or hanging out in Belmont Shores. Still determined to become an officer, Vern chose to redirect his focus towards a Federal agency and began the application process with the United States Border Patrol. In 1998, Vern and Christine met again and discovered they surprisingly had a lot in common. For over a year, Vern would invite Christine out for coffee or lunch just to talk about anything under the sun.

Christine accompanied Vern, as friends, to a wedding in San Clemente on the Fourth of July. Luckily, Vern had many friends marry that same year, so the "friend" dates kept coming. Meanwhile, Vern's application for border patrol was still processing. In the Fall, he received an offer to join the BP academy on October 19, 1999. Before leaving, Vern tells Christine that he had fallen in love with her and can't be in the friend zone anymore; the couple celebrated this date for many years.

Vern went on to joined the United States Border Patrol. He attended the Academy in South Carolina, and after successfully graduating he was assigned to the Douglas Station in Arizona, where he worked for 5 years. Vern and Christine continued a long distance relationship. Following the attacks on 9/11, Homeland Security opened the applications for the Federal Air Marshal program. The application process took a full year, but eventually he was offered a position that would take him back to California where he would build a life with Christine and her son Frank. Vern spent the remainder of his career as a U.S. Federal Air Marshal, quietly but proudly serving in this job for 15 years. One thing Vern especially loved about his job was that he got to visit all the places he read about in history books. One of his favorite places was Rome, Italy. Vern would often share his knowledge of it's history with his step-son Frank.

It was Vern's dream to retire in the Pacific Northwest with his family, in an area that he, Christine, and Frank first visited on a family road trip in 2012. They traveled back there every few years, investigating areas and neighborhoods where they would find their next home. They picked out a home in Vancouver, Washington, with space for his mother to join them. In his last week of life, Vern, Christine, and Pauline all spent a wonderful week together in their new home discussng plans for the upcoming holidays. Vern was due to return to his family on December 19, 2019 for another week in his dream home.

Approximately, a week after Thanksgiving the US Federal Air Marshals escorted his body from the Kern County morgue to Forrest Lawn in Cypress, and have been an amazing source of support for Christine. Although these federal agents serve the country, they do it without fanfare or attention because of the undercover nature of their work. In remembering Vern, please also remember the brave men and women who he worked with and who continue to protect our country.

May our beloved Vern, forever rest in peace.