LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County’s representative in the State Senate has introduced legislation to name a portion of Highway 29 in Lakeport in honor of a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty in August.
Sen. Mike McGuire introduced SCR 92 last week to name a section of the highway for Deputy Robert Rumfelt.
SCR 92 is co-authored by State Sen. Bill Dodd – who previously represented Lake County in the State Assembly – and Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.
“Deputy Rumfelt selflessly served his country and dedicated his life to keeping the hard working people of Lake County safe,” said McGuire. “His impact on this community is immeasurable and the contributions he made will be his lasting legacy. After all Deputy Rumfelt’s done for our nation and right here at home, the least we can do is honor his tireless work and sacrifice so generations will know about his achievements, bravery and big heart.”
“Deputy Rumfelt was a true American hero, saving lives overseas with the United States Military, and protecting and serving his community in Lake County,” said Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin. “We’re grateful to work with Senator McGuire to honor his legacy by renaming a portion of the highway that runs through his home town in his memory.”
Martin said the portion of the highway slated to be renamed for Rumfelt extends from Highway 175 at the Hopland Grade turnoff to 11th Street.
Rumfelt, 50, died in the line of duty on Aug. 22.
He had struggled with a domestic violence suspect who was taken into custody. After clearing the scene, his patrol SUV crashed into a tree. A medical examiner concluded that Rumfelt suffered sudden cardiac death 30 minutes after a stressful physical encounter, as Lake County News has reported.
Rumfelt grew up in Lake County, graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1985 and later serving in the United States Marine Corps, where he earned numerous accolades for his honor, courage and commitment. He was an infantryman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Rumfelt later returned to Lake County and worked for the Lakeport Police Department beginning in 1995.
He took a leave from that agency in 2010 to serve as a police advisor to Iraqi law enforcement agencies in Ramadi, Baghdad, Kurdistan and Mosul. During his time there he risked his life during an improvised explosive device attack on an Army convoy in order to save the life of a badly injured soldier.
In 2014, after returning to Lake County, Rumfelt joined the sheriff’s office.
Rumfelt is credited with acting as an inspiring and positive force in the lives of many young people, spending countless hours at Clear Lake High School where he coached the football team and mentored youth.
He was a dedicated family man, and is survived by his wife, Kelly, his two daughters Nikki and Britney, his grandsons Robby and Johnny, his parents and his siblings.
Martin said he decided to pursue the idea to honor Rumfelt after seeing memorial highway signs in other parts of the state.
“I never wanted to have to put one up, but I do have to put this one up,” Martin said.
“We’ll never forget him at the sheriff’s office, of course,” said Martin, who wanted to have a memorial in place to remind the public of Rumfelt’s service.
“Rob deserves it,” he said.
The legislation will need to be approved, with one of the stipulations being that a source of funds must be identified to pay for the project, said Martin.
He estimated it will cost about $8,500 for signage and installation by Caltrans staff.
Martin is raising money to cover the project through the newly formed Lake County Sheriff’s Foundation.
He said he incorporated the organization in June 2015, but had to set aside working on it due to the county’s wildland fires and flood.
The Rumfelt highway memorial is one of the organization’s projects for this year, he said.
Fundraising efforts – including the foundation’s March 2 Black Tie Ball – will pay for the highway memorial, offer assistance to Rumfelt’s family and also pay to send some deputies back to the National Peace Officers’ Memorial in Washington, DC in May, he said.
Martin said he’s also working on getting a plaque for Rumfelt to install at the peace officer and firefighters’ memorial in Museum Square in downtown Lakeport. The wooden statues at the memorial also will be cleaned and refurbished.
He said at the annual candlelight vigil later this year for fallen peace officers and firefighters, Rumfelt’s name will be added to the memorial.
For more information or to donate to the foundation, call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-262-4200 or visit the foundation’s Web site at www.lakecsf.org .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Sen. McGuire introduces legislation to name portion of highway for fallen deputy
- Elizabeth Larson
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