We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
- Winston Churchill
Obituary
Dejon Marques Heard, age 25, a cherished grandson, son, nephew, cousin, brother, and friend, unexpectedly passed away on July 6, 2024. Born on June 14, 1999, Dejon's early years were a testament to his captivating innocence, insatiable curiosity, vibrant spirit, and warm heart. As a young child, his undeniable charm and adorable looks made him a favorite among all who knew him.
When at his best, Dejon's presence in any room was marked by his lovable and highly social nature. He was always ready to engage in lively conversation or play video games and had a natural gift for making others feel comfortable and accepted. Over the years, Dejon’s compassionate nature made him a confidant to those who sought his guidance. He was always available to listen and offer support and rarely turned down the opportunity to take time to socialize with his friends.
Dejon's commitment to loyalty and friendship was unwavering, and his genuine, friendly, and sensitive nature left a lasting impression on all who crossed his path. His occasional selfless decision, especially when it came to his friends, and his open acceptance of those less fortunate resonated deeply with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Dejon's memory will be honored at a funeral service held at 6556 Park Ridge Blvd, San Diego, CA 92120, on October 26, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Family, friends, and all whose lives Dejon touched are invited to gather and celebrate the beautiful life he led.
While he may no longer be with us, Dejon's spirit will continue illuminating the lives he graced. His legacy of love, loyalty, and laughter will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
For more information or if you would like to donate to the cause of seeking “Justice for Dejon,” please visit: https://gofundme/98b8fdf1.
Dejon's Life Story
Dejon was born on June 14, 1999, at Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego, California, to Jennifer Anne Klat and Patrick Bousha Heard. From the age of 3, Dejon lived with his great-grandmother, Suzanne Bemis (who passed away in July 2023), and spent most of his weekends, free evenings, and vacation time visiting the home of his doting grandmother, better known as “Grandma Suzy.”
Growing up in La Mesa, California, Dejon attended Murray Manor Elementary School. According to his kindergarten teacher, Ms. Leiderman, Dejon was well-liked by his classmates and best remembered for his gentle, sociable nature. He was always ready for a good conversation, even when it proved challenging during class time. Over the years, Dejon made many friends, but no one was closer to him than his best friend, James. The two met in preschool and remained close through thick and thin, always standing side by side, even when differences would end in heated disagreement. They frequently argued about who was right, as boys do, but anyone who knew them would agree that their bond was akin to that of brothers, extending beyond mere friendship.
Dejon attended High Tech Media Arts Middle School from 2011 to 2014 and High-Tech High School from 2014 to 2016. During his senior year, Dejon switched schools, and this change in environment noticeably added to the decrease in his ability to feel connected and make new friends. At the age of 15, Dejon began struggling with social anxiety, experiencing random panic attacks, and started wanting to spend more time alone. Looking back, I think the stress of moving from La Mesa to Encinitas triggered him to withdraw when he lost touch with his childhood friends. For the next few years that followed, Dejon had difficulty finding himself, like many teens, and gradually began to relive early childhood traumas that eventually led him to develop symptoms identical to post-traumatic stress disorder, which went undiagnosed and untreated.
In May 2019, during one of Dejon’s many meltdowns while under the care of UCSD, Dejon was accused of stabbing a man who had attacked him while he was attempting to cross the street. Dejon was arrested, stamped guilty, jailed for seven months, and sentenced without objective evidence showing that any crime had been committed. He would later share his disappointment and sadness with himself for not speaking up when confronted, with angry memories capriciously resurfacing, mainly when alone and reflecting on how his lawyer and the judge had played on his fragility and mental weakness.
In December 2019, upon Dejon’s release, he was placed in a residential group home with 3 to 4 people crammed into a 75 sq. foot room where occupants were allowed to store drug paraphernalia for personal use. A team of court-supervised social workers, probation officers, and community Catalyst program staff managed Dejon’s post-release supervision, with a treatment plan not kicking in until Dejon once again became homeless in May 2021.
In June 2021, Dejon received appropriate medication and began counseling, and his outlook on life and ability to handle stress significantly improved. He was finally able to secure an apartment in San Diego State off-campus student housing on his own, buy a car, and hold a job as a Shift Manager at Papa John’s, which he did for two years without help or public assistance. In January 2022, Dejon started taking classes at Mira Mar College and maintained a 3.25 GPA.
In July 2023, Dejon moved to Mesa, Arizona, and enrolled in Mesa Community College to pursue a career in engineering. Under the college's work-study program, Dejon found work as a student aide but quickly became disillusioned when the San Diego Fresh Start Program informed him that his criminal record, created under false circumstances, could be dismissed but never eligible for expungement. Upon hearing this, Dejon's mental health quickly declined, and once again, he began to emotionally regress, isolating himself from family support and gradually withdrawing from friends.
In January 2024, Dejon packed up his belongings and moved back to San Diego, feeling disheartened after being turned down for a job in Arizona due to his criminal background. This news took a toll on Dejon’s mental state, causing him to experience traumatic flashbacks, creating a sense of paranoia and distrust, and giving up his dream of becoming an engineer. He was convinced he had no options and no future and insisted on living out of his car. In February, Dejon briefly returned to work part-time for his previous employer, Papa John’s, in need of money to live, with his psychological state being such that he couldn't sustain employment.
In May 2024, Dejon summoned the courage and filed a complaint in federal court asking a judge to instruct the police to stop harassing him, especially when he parked his car by the beach at night. He had once mentioned to friends that hearing the ocean waves calmed the voices and helped him fall asleep. He honestly believed the police would listen if the instructions came from a federal judge.
On July 6, 2024, before the complaint could be corrected and verified, Dejon was ambushed by two police officers responding to 9-1-1 calls describing an upset man, not hurting anybody, standing next to a stalled car stuck in an intersection on La Jolla Blvd. Within 14 seconds of the police cruiser’s arrival, officers jumped out with weapons drawn and shot Dejon three times in the chest at close range – and before any time could be assessed to determine what was going on. Witnesses at the scene report observing a delay with Dejon receiving medical attention while Officers began telling the crowd gathering that Dejon was wielding a knife. (No one at the scene or on the street at the time Dejon was shot– other than a retired deputy sheriff who claims she observed Dejon holding a knife she says she witnessed while standing from a second-story balcony – reported or observed that Dejon had a knife!)
Dejon is survived by his mother, Jennifer Klat, grandmother Susan Klat, siblings Nikia Klat, Chantel Chamberlain, Jacqueline Heard, Patrick Heard (Rachel), Devin Heard; aunts, Rhonda and Lynne (Rick); uncles Joe (Laurie) and Matt (Jane); cousins Robert, Thomas (Briana), Kimberly (Stephen), Joseph, and Katie, God-mothers Ashley, Candace, and Debbi, and numerous extended family members. He was predeceased by his father, Patrick Bousha Heard, who passed away in 2021. His great-grandmothers Suzanne Bemis and Easter Heard, great-grandfather Joesph Bemis, cousin Sean, and special friend of the family, Duarte Cabral, also preceded him in death.
Services will be held at Saint Dunston’s Church, 6556 Park Ridge Blvd, San Diego 92121, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. After the service, refreshments and a brief gathering will be held in the adjacent church parish hall.
For more information or to donate to the cause of seeking “Justice for Dejon,” please visit https://gofundme/98b8fdf1.
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