LAKEPORT >> About 100 locals gathered at Museum Park in Lakeport to honor Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Rumfelt and others who risked their lives for the safety of others during the annual Lake County Safety Officers Memorial Ceremony on Friday evening.
The event was organized by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chaplains.
Besides the candle lighting and name reading parts of the ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to witness the addition of a fifth, bronze plaque on the memorial with Rumfelt’s name, which reads, “Robert Rumfelt, Deputy, L.C.S.D., 2017.” Also available for viewing was a door from the deputy’s patrol vehicle, with multiple written messages of love and gratitude for him by family, friends, and colleagues.
One says, “A void in the department & the county that can’t be filled. — The Atkinsons.”
Rumfelt’s end of watch was August 22, 2017. He suffered from a fatal heart attack while driving from a report of a violent fight. Rumfelt, 50, was a lifelong resident of the county and served with the LCSO and Lakeport Police Department since 1997. He also served as a mentor to new deputies and as the assistant football coach for the Clear Lake High School Cardinals for several years.
Among the speakers that showed their respects for Rumfelt and those that continue to serve today were Rumfelt’s father Robert Rumfelt, Congressman Mike Thompson, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin, Lakeport Fire Chief Doug Hutchison, and Lake County Sheriff Chaplain Terry Cara.
“We remember those who have lived and not died,” Cara said at the ceremony as attendees bowed their heads in honor of the fallen.
June Jackson from Clearlake’s Praises of Zion Baptist Church led the ceremony to a peaceful end with her rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 134 law enforcement officers were killed in 2017, 11 of which were from California. And the U.S. Fire Administration reported 93 firefighters died in the line of duty last year, where 12 of them were from California and four from Cal Fire ranks.
