Susanville Police Officer Slain

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Police Officer Rob McElrath, 37, was found dead in the Devils Corral area approximately ten miles west of Susanville, near a railroad trestle, on Sunday January 2, 2011. Rob had been a member of the Susanville Police Department and UPEC since 2006. He worked as a Reserve Police Officer for the department since 2003. Rob also held the positions of Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff with the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department prior to his employment with Susanville P.D. 

Susanville Chief of Police Jeffrey Atkinson stated, “Rob was an important part of our police department family and we will miss him greatly. Rob was always quick with a smile and his positive attitude made our department a better place.”

Rob was very active in the Susanville Police Officers Association spending many of his own hours in bargaining sessions with the City over the last several year’s. Rob was the ultimate professional who always maintained a calm attitude in the middle of stressful situations.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his family at the Susanville Police Department. Rob will be missed greatly by all. Funeral arrangements are pending.

An update on 1/6/11 at 1430 hours. Joanna McElrath (Beckett) age 36 and Robin Glen James, 46, both of Susanville were arrested for the murder of Officer McElrath and Conspiracy to commit murder. No further information is available at this time.