Community Pays Respect to Slain Officer / Former Resident

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday April 03, 2009 - Law enforcement officers throughout the area showed up this afternoon to participate a funeral escort for Sergeant Ervin Romans the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home to the Trinity Lutheran Church. Romans was born in Ironwood and attended local schools before joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he served for nine years. For the past 13 years he has faithfully served as a police officer for the City of Oakland, California. Last week we was gunned down in an East Oakland apartment when the SWAT team he headed was attempting to apprehend a suspect who had just killed two other officers in a routine traffic stop.  

This afternoon's processions traveled south on Lowell Street from the Funeral Home to Ayer Street. It then continued east on Ayer Street to Lake Street. The procession ended at the church on the corner of Lake Street and Margaret Street.

On Saturday morning, the funeral procession will leave Trinity Lutheran Church at approximately 8:00 AM The procession will travel north on Lake Street to Ayer Street. It will turn west on Ayer Street and turn south on Marquette Street. The procession will end at the Ironwood Memorial Building.

Visitation will be at 9:00 AM at the Memorial Building followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. There will also be visitation at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 PM after the 3:00 PM procession.

After the funeral services on Saturday, (approximately 1:00 PM) the procession will leave the Memorial Building and travel east on McLeod Avenue and turn north on Lake Street. The procession will end at the Ironwood Township Fire Hall. The family and honor guard will continue to the cemetery for a private ceremony.

The services at the Ironwood Township Cemetery will not be open to the public.

STREET CLOSURES - The following streets will be closed from 6:00 AM Saturday until approximately 3:00 PM Saturday.

• Marquette Street from Ayer Street to Vaughn Street.
• McLeod Avenue between Norfolk Street and Mansfield Street.
• Aurora Street between Norfolk Street and Marquette Street.

SPECIAL NOTE - Parking in the area around the Memorial Building will be very limited due to the large amount of law enforcement vehicles. People attending the service should park at the LLW High School parking lot on Curry Street. The Gogebic County Transit (Little Blue Bus) will be providing transportation to and from the Memorial Building from the High School lot beginning at 9:00 AM Saturday and again immediately following the ceremony. Everyone is encouraged to attend this ceremony to honor our fallen brother. People are also encouraged to come out and view any of the processions as they pass by.