Remembering Capt. Jere Lee Romano
A longtime Santa Monica College police captain who received honors for his response during the 2013 campus shooting died March 5, 2026, at age 58 after a battle with cancer.
Jere Lee Romano’s memorial was held on March 21 at the Holy Cross cemetery in Culver City. A celebration of life was held at American Legion Post 43 in Hollywood on May 16. He is survived by his widow, Martha Romano, and eight children.
Romano was born on Sept. 14, 1967. He was the grandchild of World War II veterans who joined the military because of their influence. After the Marine Corps, he attended Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., his hometown.
He entered the Santa Monica College Police Department as a trainee in November 1993 and retired as a captain in January 2024. Before retiring, he received a Medal of Valor and Medal of Courage from the Police Commission for “running towards danger” during an on-campus active shooter situation in 2013, said Chief of Police Johnnie Adams.
“He did not hesitate, and began to evacuate the counseling and special program building while undergoing fire,” Adams said. “He saved multiple people’s lives without any additional backup.”
Colleagues of Jere Romano describe his death as a significant loss to the department and community.
He participated in fundraising efforts for cancer research and convinced the American Legion to donate money to the SMCPD for body cameras, according to Adams. Romano also built comradery in the department by creating initiatives. He’d challenge his officers to raise money for Adams to wear a kilt to FBI National Academy Associates Board of Directors meetings, Adams said.
One year, Adams persuaded Romano to wear one as well.
“It’s hard to get another cop to wear a kilt, but there we sat in a uniform shirt, kilt and gun belt,” Adams said.
Upon his retirement, Jere Romano dedicated his life to serving the military community. He mentored countless veterans at SMC and through the American Legion, according to his wife. He offered guidance, support and a steady presence to those navigating life after service, and he worked alongside Congress members to fix veteran-related issues, Martha Romano stated in an email to The Corsair.
She also stated that he worked alongside members of Congress to address veteran-related issues on the national level.
She noted that her husband’s titles weren’t what made him extraordinary — what made him special was the way he made people feel.
“During natural disasters, fires, hurricanes and other crises Jere mobilized communities. He organized food and supply efforts across California and into neighboring states, bringing people together and making sure help reached those who needed it most,” Martha Romano stated in the email.
“Not out of obligation, but out of genuine care for others,” she stated.
In an email to The Corsair, President and Superintendent Kathryn Jeffery noted that Jere Romano’s legacy lives on in the community he helped build and in the lives of the people he protected and mentored.
“It continues in all of us who carry forward what he stood for: service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to others,” Jeffery stated.
The SMC Foundation created the Jere Lee Romano Memorial Scholarship in honor of the former police captain. Students interested in learning more or donating can visit the college’s website.