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Deputy Rumfelt to be memorialized at May 4 safety officers memorial ceremony
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Deputy Robert Rumfelt will be memorialized during the annual Lake County Safety Officers Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 4.
The candle light event will be held at the Lake County Museum Park, located at 255 N. Main St. in Lakeport.
The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. It is hosted by the Lake County Sheriff’s chaplains and is open to the public.
Along with honoring Deputy Rumfelt, the ceremony will remember five others who gave their lives while on duty: Sheriff George Kemp, Deputy William Hoyt and Sgt. Richard Helbush, and firefighters Michael Mattioda and Matthew Black.
In addition, all of the names of the California law enforcement officers and firefighters who died in 2017 will be read aloud.
Deputy Sheriff Rumfelt suffered a fatal medical emergency following a violent confrontation with a suspect on Aug. 22.
Rumfelt had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for three years and had previously served with the Lakeport Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, four sisters, a brother, his mother and father.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that 93 firefighters died in the line of duty in 2017. Twelve were from California. Four came from the Cal Fire ranks. The California firefighters’ deaths were the result of vehicle accidents, medical emergencies and tree fall.
According to the Officer Down Web site, 134 law enforcement officers were killed in 2017, along with 29 police dogs, or K9s, that died in public service. Eleven officers were from California.
Nationwide, 52 law enforcement officers died as a result of a deadly assault, which includes physical assaults, stabbing and gunfire.
Honor these fallen safety officers, and the men and women that put their lives on the line every day in Lake County with your attendance. The public is encouraged to bring a small candle and holder or small flashlight for the ceremony.