- Lake County News reports
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Procession for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s deputy planned for Thursday
Deputy Rob Rumfelt, 50, died while on duty on Tuesday night, as Lake County News has reported.
Rumfelt and another deputy had responded as backup for the Lakeport Police Department on a domestic violence call. During the call, Rumfelt and his fellow deputy were involved in a fight with the suspect.
A short time later, as he was driving from the scene, authorities believe Rumfelt suffered a medical emergency which led to his patrol SUV hitting a tree in the area of Hartley Street and Boggs Lane. He was pronounced dead at Sutter Lakeside Hospital a short time later.
Authorities transported Rumfelt’s body to Napa County for an autopsy, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.
Sgt. Corey Paulich said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will be escorting Deputy Rumfelt from Napa County back to Lake County on Thursday afternoon, following the autopsy’s completion.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will be joined in the procession by officers from the California Highway Patrol, Lakeport Police Department, Clearlake Police Department and several other public safety agencies, Paulich said.
Sheriff Brian Martin also reported that Caltrans will assist with traffic control at major intersections that the procession will pass through on its journey to Lakeport.
The city of Lakeport reported that American flags will be placed along Main Street in honor of Rumfelt, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who had honorably served as a Lakeport Police officer for more than nine years.
Paulich said the procession is scheduled to travel the following route.
It will arrive at the Highway 29 Lake/Napa County line at approximately 4 p.m., continuing north on Highway 29 through Middletown, arriving in Middletown at approximately 4:10 p.m.
The procession will continue on Highway 29 to Lower Lake, arriving at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 53 at approximately 4:25 p.m.
From there, the procession will proceed north on Highway 29 to Kelseyville, arriving at the Highway 29 and Live Oak Drive intersection at approximately 4:45 p.m.
The procession will continue on Highway 29 to the intersection of Highway 175 in Lakeport, arriving at approximately 4:55 p.m. before turning onto South Main Street and continuing northbound through downtown Lakeport.
The procession will turn left onto Clearlake Avenue and then right onto N. High Street, ending at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, located at 1625 N High St., at approximately 5 p.m.
Any support by the public would be greatly appreciated by the family, Paulich said.