Classic Ernie. Always out for the fun. Sitting next to each other at a retirement dinner and I honestly don’t even remember what the conversation was at the table. Out of the blue Ernie turns to me, grabs me and kisses me! I’m  pretty sure it wasn’t a plan but Vic just happens to have a camera ready at that exact moment ?!?!?  Working with that duo was always an adventure. Rest in Peace Ernie❤️🙏🏻
 You were one of the good ones !

I worked with Ernie for over 10 years at AT&T. We both retired on the same day, and this picture was taken that day. I got to know Ernie personally after joining the 911 crew. He was a great tech and saved my bacon quite a few times! I often thought he would have been a great asset in attracting new customers for the company with that great personality.
After we retired we kept in touch and would occasionally get together, and of course there was always our retiree breakfasts.
One funny story I remember is he and Fran were having a party, and at the time lived on a lake. Ernie bought a boat but it had developed a small leak. One of the guests had been asking to take it out. Ernie kept saying no, but finally relented. The last thing he said was "Don't sink my boat". Well, the leak got worse and they barely made it back. They did but the boat ended up sinking. I'll never forget the look on Ernie's face! He turned to the guy and said: "I told you not to sink my ------- boat!!" Then he kinda laughed. Typical Ernie. I will miss him.

I always knew when Ernie entered the room!  The energy just changed.  From his booming, gravely voice, to his infectious smile, to his jokes, the room changed and it was good!  Thank you Ernie for being that lightness that we needed each morning.  Thank you to your family for sharing you with us all of these years.  Our lives have been forever changed.

Oh, Ernie! That guy was larger than life! When I was still fairly new at the 911 warehouse, I get a call from “Danny Boy” (a character from the George Lopez radio show in the early 2000’s or so I thought) he wanted to set me up on date with his Tío (Uncle) well I got offended by that and I said I’m not sure who you are but  please don’t call here, and before I could say anything else he started laughing and says “Susie, this is Ernie I need part” Classic Ernie move. Working with him was never a dull moment, He had the smarts and the charm that could make even a Monday feel like a Friday. And I’m sure he’s up there making the angels laugh. May you rest easy my friend. You truly will be missed. Picture taken at Ray del Rosario’s retirement party,  I think in 2013.

I first met Ernie, along with the OC 9-1-1 Tech crew, when I was a Field Engineer with Plant Equipment, Inc. (PEI). While I knew the 9-1-1 phone equipment, the telephony side was still new to me. Ernie was always willing to share his knowledge and experience with me. I always looked forward to working in Orange County. Ernie, and of course Vic,  made any project fun to be a part of no matter how good, or bad things were going. There was never a dull moment. Ernie cared about the quality of his work, and it showed. 9-1-1 is not an industry for everyone, but Ernie certainly had a calling for it. Orange County's 9-1-1 PSAPs were certainly in great hands as a result of his hard work and dedication. He left a high bar and legacy when he retired. RIP my friend.

Ernie was the kindest easiest going guy I ever knew. I never heard him utter an angry word but often heard his wonderful laugh. We used to come across each other while driving to work as we both lived in La Mirada. There was a street that we had to turn left on and the right lane had been a right turn lane only forever but in typical fashion many drivers would run up the right lane then cut in front of the left lane traffic. One day I was making my turn from the left and another car was turning left from the right lane. I cut him off and forced him behind me. Too late I realized three things, they had changed the sign now allowing the right lane to turn left, two the car I cut off was Ernie and three I had been a total jerk When we got to the garage Ernie patiently said, “Al they changed the sign, you can turn left there now.” I got a real lesson on grace and patience that day. God bless you Ernie you will be missed.

After our Photo shoot, I went in and told the dispatch supervisor, I think it was Rebecca, that Ernie accidentally locked himself in the jail cell. Now Rebecca laughed. She went out into dispatch and told the other dispatchers who immediately shifted their attention to jail cell monitors. Now they all laughed. One of them, maybe Marianne said into the PA system       “Hey Ernie, you wouldn’t be sitting on that bench if you’d seen what went on in there last night” 
I didn’t know Ernie could jump from seated to standing so fast. I don’t know if there’s a record for that but I’m pretty sure Ernie at least came close to breaking it. He turned around and stared at the bench, I guess looking for evidence of some misadventure from the previous night. Then he asked out loud, “Are you gonna let me outta here” Rebecca replied. “ We don’t have a key, I’ll have to call an officer out of the field to let you out”  I think Ernie’s reply was a couple of four letter words and I’m pretty sure my name was mentioned too. 
I’m guessing Rebecca told the officer coming in the situation because  in his very commanding COP voice he told Ernie that playing in the jail cells wasn’t a joke. Then he turned the key and slid the door open. As the officer turned to return to duty he gave me a little wink. 
Ernie hung his head as he stepped out of the cell. He just glanced at me and said “Asshole”. I have worn that name proudly ever since and although he didn’t talk to me much for the rest of the day, Ernie and I had a great working relationship and together we had a great relationship with all the PSAPs. Good times. He will be missed.

Looking through the port hole is Ernie Najera. Here's how this happened.
Ernie and I were working on a 9-1-1 equipment upgrade at Garden Grove PD. We’d been in the switch room for a couple of hours and Ernie decided he needed a smoke. 
We stepped out into the hallway between the switch room and the Sally port  right next to a jail cell. Ernie lit up his cigarette. 
We were just gossiping about the dispatchers as guys would do when Ernie looked at the jail cell and asked if I’d ever been in jail. I laughed and said I was never even sent to the principals office. He said he hadn’t ever been in jail either. If you knew Ernie as I did, it would surprise you too.  In our nearly 15 year working relationship he shared many of his youthful shenanigans with me. He just never got caught. Then Ernie took a couple of steps into the cell and looked around. Of course being the joker I am, I couldn’t resist and grabbed the sliding cell door and slid it towards the closed position. As it slid along the track we heard clunk, clunk, clunk. Before it was completely closed Ernie grabbed it and slid it back open—or at least he tried to. Little did I know the clunk, clunk, clunk was the sound of a one way ratchet type system. The door wouldn’t go back the other way without a key. The door was about a foot from being closed completely. We just looked at each other in shock for about 15 seconds not saying a word. Then of course I started laughing. Ernie, looking a bit pissed said “This isn’t funny”. To which I replied “It pretty funny from out here”.  The he tried desperately to squeeze his skinny body through that 12” opening. I wish I’d gotten a picture of that. Now I almost fell over laughing. 
I turned to walk away and Ernie asked “Are you going to get a key” Still laughing I said “No, I’m going to get my camera” Thus the picture.

OBITUARY

Ernest Jacinto Najera

2 November, 1948 – 26 February, 2024

Funeraria del Angel Bellflower

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