Funeral Held for Santa Ana College Baseball Player

Fullerton - A 21-year-old Santa Ana College baseball pitcher who apparently drowned when he was caught in rain-swollen Brea Creek while walking his girlfriend's yellow Labrador was remembered at his funeral in Fullerton on Saturday.

Hundreds turned out for the funeral, where Wernke was remembered as a loving man and a dedicated athlete.

The casket was carried by six pallbearers dressed in full baseball uniforms.

James Wernke was missing for more than two days when his body was found along Brea Creek near St. Jude Hospital Medical Center. An autopsy was inconclusive, but police say it appeared that he got swept up in the rushing waters, perhaps trying to save the dog.

The dog remains missing.

"I heard reports from other officers that the water was running pretty high, eight feet or more," Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said. "When it rains it can be deceptive how fast the water in these channels is moving.

"Many people don't perceive it, and you hear these stories of victims getting swept away," Goodrich said. "I don't know how fast the water moves, but it's strong when it's flooding."

Wernke was a strapping 6 feet 4 inches and about 190 pounds. He was last seen a week ago today, when he left the home of his girlfriend's mother in the 3000 block of Sunnywood Drive to walk the dog.

The creek was swollen from a week of rainy weather.

Wernke, a talented pitching prospect, was drafted out of Fullerton's Troy High School by the Oakland Athletics in the 41st round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. He signed a letter of intent last month to play for Long Beach State in the 2011 season.

"It's never easy to deal with an enormous tragedy such as this," Long Beach State coach Mike Weathers said.

"We obviously thought very highly of James and will miss the opportunity to have him be part of the Long Beach State baseball program. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."

A memorial fund has been set up:

James Wernke Memorial Fund
C/O Wells Fargo, Fullerton Office
141 W. Bastanchury Road
Fullerton, CA 92835
Reference account # 2119651954