Wayne Alvin Kerns

Some days at work I think of the tough, sensitive man, Wayne Kerns, who could figure out anything mechanical. As I ordered police cars today I remembered a pursuit that ended in a wreck that Wayne convinced me was not a wreck. Wayne proceeded to repair the car in the middle of the night at the back of the station and then said "look, you can't even tell." Wayne lived a full life and talked about Aiko so often. We all miss him and will always remember those many stories.

Wayne and I met while I was delivering a piece of farm machinery to Toshio's place. We hit it off by having a lot of the same interests in old farm machinery. Wayne was a real honest down-to-earth sort of person. I always looked forward to visiting with him by phone or when I was in town. He is missed.

I have known Wayne for 12 years and we hunted together and went to Alaska together on a fishing trip. He was a very special and good friend. Wayne had many stories and many friends and he will be greatly missed! Wayne will always be in my heart and my families. He was a special person.

I knew Wayne before I worked at SPD as he was a neighbor/friend to my aunt and uncle just a couple of streets over (before he retired and moved to Creswell). He was a big teddy bear of a man who you didn't want to make growl. He was definitely one of the best!! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

When I think of Wayne, I think of a man who was clearly willing to drop everything to lend a hand. He was always pleasant and patient and shared his expertise when he could.

Wayne will be missed for sure.

I remember the days when Wayne and I were both in uniform. I knew I could count on him and he knew he could count on me. I deeply regret to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones. He will live forever in our hearts.

I was an explorer scout at Springfield Police Department under Wayne's command from 1978 to 1980 before entering the US Coast Guard. Wayne was a mentor, and beloved friend who was always there to help me and make sure I stayed the course. Explorer Scouts earned respect from the patrol division because Wayne enabled us to complete tasks that Explorers hadn't been permitted to do prior to his leadership. Wayne was a jack of all trades and master of many. Wayne was an outstanding police...

My condolences to Aiko, Nieces & Family, and all Wayne's friends.
As my friend Wayne helped me move to the country,brought me a tractor to landscape the place, fixed my truck, built my trailer, scrounged up some timbers to rebuild my bridge in 1996, and many other things over the years.
As a colleague he was the back-up you always wanted, there when I needed help during a fight in a ditch or when
he rearranged a few faces during a riot at the Greenwood Lounge. Boom, boom, boom...

Wayne helped my parents adjust to their new lives when they uprooted from the big city. He was one of the most generous, kind hearted, selfless individuals, and will be missed. Thank you for all that you've done.