Redlands Police Officer Seth Franklin passed away on April 6, 2025, after a courageous battle with Stage 4 melanoma. A devoted husband and father to two young boys, Seth served his community with distinction for over 11 years, beginning his career as a San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff.
A Yucaipa native, he graduated from Yucaipa High School and earned a Criminal Justice degree from Cal State San Bernardino. Seth was known for his servant’s heart, integrity, and infectious joy—bringing light and laughter wherever he went. He deeply valued relationships and showed up every day with unwavering dedication to his role in law enforcement.
Seth’s greatest joy came from being with his wife Ashley and their sons, Ronan and Ryan. Whether camping, playing ball, or enjoying a day at Disneyland, he was happiest when surrounded by family. He also loved motorcycles, golf, and playing softball. Through his battle with cancer, Seth’s faith in Jesus never wavered, and he inspired those around him with his strength and optimism. He is survived by his wife and children, his parents, siblings, in-laws, and a large extended family. Though he left us too soon, Seth’s legacy of love, faith, and service continues to shine in the lives he touched.
On April 3, 2007, Officer John Farah passed away from injuries he suffered from a motorcycle accident he was involved in on March 29, 2007.
Officer John Farah began working with the Redlands Police Department in February 2002 as an Explorer. He worked as an identification technician, a cadet and a community service officer before being sworn in as a police officer in July 2006. Officer John Farah worked as a patrol officer since his graduation from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Police Academy.
Officer John Farah was always determined. When he wanted something done he would get it done. Officer John Farah had an absolutely stunning personality, he was always happy and always smiling. In 1997 Farah’s family moved to The United States from Egypt, Farah’s family moved around a lot before later settling in Hesperia. Farah graduated from Redlands High School. At Redlands High School, Farah participated in the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program, but he discovered his true calling as a police officer when he joined the Redlands Police Department’s Law Enforcement Explorer Post.
Officer John Farah always wanted to be a police officer. Farah also loved everyone at the Redlands Police Department and was happy that he was able to get into the Sheriff’s Academy through the department. Officer John Farah’s death is not only a loss for his family and friends but also to the Redlands Police Department. John was a great guy and he is going to be deeply missed, to many of us, he was like a little brother.
In 2009 the Redlands Police Officers Association created the Patrol Officer of the Year Award in his honor. As the title states, the award is solely for those officers who work patrol “the backbone and lifeblood of the department."
Candidates are nominated by their peers and are officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty providing exemplary service to the public, and embody the ideals held by Corporal Rob Jones and the Redlands Police Department.
On May 04, 2004 Redlands Police Corporal Robert “Rob” Jones passed away after suffering a heart attack while on duty. Corporal Jones was a member of the Redlands Police Department for 27 years from January 1977 until May 04, 2004. Corporal Rob Jones is survived by his wife, 2 daughters.
He was the second most senior officer in the department at that time. During his tenure, Corporal Jones worked a variety of positions, which included patrol supervisor for several years, and was promoted to the department’s first corporal position. Many of the higher ranking and most senior officers of the department were trained by Corporal Jones. During his tenure, Corporal Jones was urged to “move up the ranks” in the department, but he chose to stay on patrol, as he felt that patrol officers were the backbone and lifeblood of the department.