Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Dies in the Line of Duty

Image from the NOrthern California C.O.P.S

We are told by the father of former South Fork High School student, Joe Eastham,* that Eastham, who is a Lakeport Police office, was one of the first on the scene of the accident and he worked to save Deputy Rumfelt.

Press release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department:

On August 22, 2017 at approximately 7:55PM Lakeport Police units were dispatched to the 900 block of Boggs Lane in Lakeport for a report of 4-5 subjects physically fighting. Lake County Sheriff’s units also responded to assist. It was reported that one of the subjects ran from the scene and had blood on him. Units from the Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene within five minutes. The Sheriff’s units observed a large group in front of a residence on Healton Circle. The deputies observed a bloody subject run into the woods. Sheriff’s Deputies searched the area locating the male subject who was later identified as Alex Michael Castillo, 21, of Nice. The deputies attempted to take Castillo in to custody, but he physically resisted. Deputies deployed a taser and were able to place Castillo under arrest. Castillo was arrested for a domestic violence incident that was related to the original call. Castillo also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failing to appear in court related to a domestic violence charge.

Shortly after police and sheriff’s units cleared the scene, a sheriff’s patrol unit struck a tree on Hartley Road north of 20th Street. Sheriff’s units on scene requested medical assistance. Paramedics from Lakeport Fire Department responded and began life saving measures. The deputy was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where further life saving measures were attempted. Unfortunately the deputy did not survive. It is believed that the deputy suffered some type of medical emergency while driving just prior to the crash.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Deputy Robert “Rob” Rumfelt. Rob was 50 years old and a lifelong resident of Lake County. He started his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Lakeport Police Department in 1997. He left the police department in 2006 to work as a private contractor overseas conducting law enforcement training. Rob returned to Lake County and was hired as a Deputy Sheriff with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in 2014. Rob was a Firearms Instructor, FTO and mentor to many newer deputies with the Sheriff’s Office. Rob was also active in the community as an assistant football coach at Clear Lake High School. He is survived by his wife, Kelly; daughters, Brittany and Nicole; sister, Amy; parents Leslie and Robert “Bob” Rumfelt, mother Juanita Dixon.

The Lake County District Attorney’s Office is handling the investigation of this incident pursuant to the county wide critical incident protocol. Additional information will be released at a later date.

*Note: Joe Eastham’s father is this reporter’s stepfather.

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16 Comments
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MOGTX
Guest
6 years ago

RIP deputy condences to all affected .

Antichrist
Guest
Antichrist
6 years ago

Hate to see anyone die . But these press releases get very biased. The officer had a medicial condition and that made him crash, there was zero need to go into his prior call and make it seem releated to his death. That call sounded well within the normal duties we expect from leos .

Antichrist
Guest
Antichrist
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thats my point, even truck drivers are required to have biannunal physcials, certain things like high blood pressure and the like are reasons they will pull your job. Being able to handle hi stress calls is a physcial requirment to be a cop, if he had a medicial condition that could be triggered by a hi stress call he should have been removed from acrive service or placed on a desk. I am by no means saying he was a bad cop or deserved to die , i am merely saying that the press release in the line of duty and then all the details of the call , just to have it be a medicial condition is pretty lame , and i know it wasnt you writing it , you merely shares the press release, i was saying they sure were attampting to make it seem larger then it really was

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
6 years ago
Reply to  Antichrist

Maybe he had an aneurysm, hard to find that in a physical, which could have been triggered by a stressful situation, next

amimissingsomething
Guest
amimissingsomething
6 years ago
Reply to  Antichrist

Antichrist, Tale your fishing pole and troll elsewhere. Thoughts and prayers to the family of this hero. EOW 8/22/2017 protecting his community….May you R.I.P. Bob Rumfelt…Thank you for your service!

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

Your name suits you well.

Antichrist
Guest
Antichrist
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

It is why i picked it, kind of like a buger

Jamara
Guest
Jamara
6 years ago
Reply to  Antichrist

I agree. Sensationalism.

Double speak outside of cheek
Guest
Double speak outside of cheek
6 years ago

So very sorry. Blessings to you all

silverlining
Guest
silverlining
6 years ago

Very sad day.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago

My Heartfelt Condolences to his family.My he rest in peace~🕊

November Echo
Guest
November Echo
6 years ago

Thank you Kim for your respectful reporting of what must have been avery stressful call that we were not part of..,.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

My condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers. Sad day.

Gypsy Rose
Guest
Gypsy Rose
6 years ago

I didn’t know you but I know you were a hero.

Kim Cabrera
Guest
6 years ago

Prayers for the family. RIP Deputy Rumfelt.