by Marshel and Jeremy Couso
The clouds broke briefly last Friday afternoon, letting the sun shine down on a crowd of family and friends at a poignant and powerful ceremony dedicating a Susanville street to Robert McElrath. McElrath, a Susanville Police Officer, was murdered on New Year’s Day 2011 and his legacy, his memory and his powerful connection to the community still burn bright.
City Administrator Jared Hancock welcomed the attendees who assembled on Susanville’s newest street, named Rob’s Way in honor of McElrath. The crowd included local dignitaries, friends, family and co-workers who came to pay tribute and reflect on a life cut tragically short by violence.
Pastor Bruce Ingle, who gave the invocation at Friday’s ceremony, said that McElrath’s, “devotion to his family, his community and his vocation will never be forgotten. His memory will now live on in the name and the placement of this street.”
“It is a straight street which reflects Rob’s integrity and strength,” said Chaplain Ingle describing the street renamed in McElrath’s honor. “It is a short street to bring to mind that his life was cut short. It connects Main Street and the courthouse which reminds us of his compassion for the community he served and his commitment to the law he upheld. At the end of the road is our American flag which reflects Rob’s patriotism to a country that he loved and served. It is a street that is appropriately named to continuously remind us of Rob’s way.”
Ingle then asked for a moment of silence as he dedicated the street to, “one that we love, we miss and that we honor today.”
Lieutenant Matt Wood, who worked closely with McElrath and knew him well, spoke to the crowd, remarking, “It has been said that the life that touches the hearts of others goes on forever, and to live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die. Five years ago Rob’s life was taken from him, and this community continues to mourn his loss.”
“There is not a day that goes by that I have not thought about Rob,” continued Lieutenant Wood. “Although the loss of Rob has been painful for us all, standing here today he will live on in the hearts and memories of all those who he touched. More importantly his legacy lives on, and is reflected, in the eyes of his children.”
Wood said, “Rob once told me that if anything happened to him to throw a big party. I believe that was Rob’s way of saying not to grieve so much about the past that you forget to live in the present.”
McElrath’s family was on hand and placed floral bouquets at the memorial which stands on the west side of Rob’s Way, halfway between Main Street and Riverside Drive where a bench stands, dedicated to McElrath.
More than $700 in flowers were planted near the bench and plaque by the Susanville Memorial, a group formed shortly after McElrath’s death to honor public servants who put their life on the line for us every day.
The plaque on the memorial bench reads: “Dedicated in the memory of Susanville Police Officer Robert J. McElrath, #839, he is missed but not forgotten. His life – one that has touched so many – continues on… Lovingly held forever in our hearts. 1/1 USMC USS PELELIU.”
Closing comments were made by Susanville City Council member Rod DeBoer, a prayer was given by Teresa Dixon and a blessing song was performed by the Native Boyz drum group from Susanville.
We have more photos from Friday’s ceremony in our SusanvilleSnapshots gallery. Click here to see them all.
Comments are closed.