Sergeant Ervin Julius Romans II, aged 43, tragically lost his life on March 21, 2009, in Oakland, California. He was a dedicated member of the Oakland Police Department and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. On the day of his death, Sergeant Romans, along with Sergeant Daniel Sakai, was part of a SWAT team attempting to apprehend a suspect who had earlier in the day fatally shot Sergeant Mark Dunakin and mortally wounded Officer John Hege during a traffic stop.
The incident began around 1:15 p.m. when Sergeant Dunakin and Officer Hege, patrolling on motorcycles, pulled over a car at 74th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle opened fire, killing Sergeant Dunakin and critically injuring Officer Hege. The suspect then fled on foot, prompting a massive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
By approximately 3:30 p.m., the Oakland Police Department received an anonymous tip that the suspect was barricaded inside an apartment building on 74th Avenue. Initial attempts to negotiate with the suspect were unsuccessful, leading to the deployment of the SWAT team. As Sergeant Romans and his team approached the suspect's location, the suspect opened fire with a rifle, resulting in the deaths of Sergeant Romans and Sergeant Sakai, and wounding a third officer. The officers returned fire, ultimately killing the 26-year-old suspect. It was later revealed that the suspect had a lengthy history of violent crime and was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon at the time of the incident. He also had a no-bail parole warrant.
The deaths of Sergeant Romans and his colleagues marked a dark day for the Oakland Police Department and the community they served. In the aftermath, the Keller Avenue Bridge over I-580 was renamed the "Sgt. Mark Dunakin Sgt. Ervin Romans Sgt. Daniel Sakai Officer John Hege Memorial Bridge" in March 2012, honoring their sacrifice and service. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the profound impact of their loss on their families and the community. Sergeant Romans is survived by his wife, three children, and three step-children, who, along with his colleagues and the broader community, continue to remember his bravery and dedication.
