Ironwood memorial service honors UP's fallen officers

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Ironwood - A memorial service for regional residents who died in the line of duty while employed in law enforcement was held in Ironwood on May 15.

The annual U.P. Peace Officers' Memorial Service took place in the Lindquist Center of Gogebic Community College.

The event honored officers of the U.P., as well as of border agencies in Wisconsin and Canada.

Keynote speaker was Tiffany Romans, sister-in-law of Ervin Romans II, who died at the age of 43 on March 21, 2009, as a member of the Oakland Police Department in California.

As a 1983 graduate of Luther L. Wright High School, he was the son of Chester and Sueko (Ishimatsu) Romans of Ironwood Township.

He then spent nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Oakland Police Department in California, where he received the department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor.

He was killed when, as a member of his department's SWAT team, he attempted to apprehend a suspect who opened fire with a rifle.

"For us, it was a day that changed our lives forever," said Tiffany Romans, while sharing what she called a "condensed version" of her brother-in-law's life.

"He loved his job," she said, but added that he also loved his family, the outdoors and his mom's cooking. She said he even "loved to cut firewood."

Romans again noted her brother-in-law's dedication.

"Even if Ervin had known what would happen that day," she said, "he still would have gone to work on his day off."

She concluded by advising the audience to recognize the importance of loved ones and of persons assigned to law enforcement.

"Don't ever take them for granted," she said. "They need to know they are respected, appreciated and supported."

The name of Ervin Romans II was read aloud within a list of Upper Peninsula Natives list during a roll call that also included separate lists read for law enforcement members lost from the U.P. at large; from Wisconsin bordering agencies; and from Ontario, Canada, as an area bordering the U.P.

Reading the roll were representatives of the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department, the Ironwood Public Safety Department, the Hurley Police Department and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

"The No. 1 thing we ask is why?" said Lt. Col. Michael Krumm, senior deputy director of the Michigan State Police. "Why do these things happen to great people?"

In asking further what can be done to carry on their legacy, he suggested modeling the best of fallen officers.

Krumm also thanked persons in attendance, who included dozens of members of law enforcement who had formed - in the hour before the ceremony - a motorcade of their vehicles, with flashing lights, to travel from Wakefield to the college.

"Thank you for your commitment," said Krumm. "Thank you for your sacrifice."

Several other persons, including GCC President Chris Patritto, also spoke of the honor in being a part of the local ceremony.

Under the direction of Kirk McBrayer, members of Luther L. Wright K-12 School played the national anthem, "In Heaven's Air," composed by Samuel R. Hazo, and "Taps"after a 21-gun salute.

The Michigan Department of Corrections Honor Guard provided the presentation of colors, and Carlo Pantti of the Ontonagon Sheriff's Department conducted the laying of the wreath.

Gogebic County Sheriff Ross Solberg received the presentation of the Peace Memorial Plaque, and the county will hold it until the next annual Peace Memorial in 2025.

Chaplain Michael Riley offered an invocation and the benediction.

A luncheon for officers and families took place after the service on the upper level of the Lindquist Center.

Kristi Recla of the Wakefield MSP Post 86 organized the ceremony, which began in 1963 by Presidential resolution and continues during each year's National Police Week.