Honoring slain Marysville police officer Rodarte with final farewell at Hard Rock

A large black hat cast a shadow over Marysville Police Chief Christian Sachs as he stood before the flag-draped casket of Officer Osmar Rodarte, his voice edged with emotion. Rodarte was the first Marysville officer killed in the line of duty in more than a century.

“It was a pain we hoped we’d never know,” Sachs said.

Although pain and sorrow were evident, so was joy, love and even “goofiness,” as hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout the region — and many community members from the Yuba-Sutter area — paid their final respects to Rodarte, whose life was celebrated Tuesday morning during a service at Hard Rock Live near Wheatland.

Reporters were not allowed inside the venue, which was otherwise open to the public, but watched the service from an overflow seating area positioned outside, where some community members and officers took in the tributes to Rodarte, who was 30 when he was killed, leaving behind a wife and two sons.

Sachs remembered the first time he met Rodarte, a military veteran who served about two years on the force, during the hiring process.

“He walked in with that sharp Army crew-cut,” Sachs said. “Eyes focused. Posture straight and a professional tone. ‘Yes, sir,’ every other sentence. He was stoic, respectful and serious.”

But once Rodarte started on the job, another part of his personality emerged. He became known for his lighter side, someone who would write up reports in the office while wearing a smokemask, Sachs said, and was known for “legendary” dance moves.

“He had that rare gift of lifting others up just by being himself,” Sachs said.

“He was more than just an officer, he was family to us,” he added.

Saying goodbye

Mari Landeros, a San Benito County sheriff’s sergeant but, more applicably, Rodarte’s aunt, remembered the first time he told her he wanted to become a police officer.

She was already in law enforcement. He was 10.

“We sat on the picnic bench and talked well over an hour,” she said. “Osmar asked questions and I answered the best that I could for an innocent 10-year-old little mind.”

It was more than a decade later that Rodarte called again for advice. After completing his military service, he wanted to become a peace officer. Some would say that Landeros inspired a young Rodarte, which she would acknowledge but counter.

“In reality, he was my inspiration,” she said. “He reminded me what it was like to be young and have goals and aspirations. Osmar’s life was short-lived but powerful.”

Rodarte died March 26 during a search warrant operation at an Olivehurst home, part of a multi-county investigation into suspected drug trafficking. Authorities said 60-year-old Rick David Oliver ambushed Rodarte, who was later pronounced dead at Adventist Health and Rideout hospital. Oliver died at the scene.

“This Yuba-Sutter community has unwavering support for its law enforcement,” said Yuba County Undersheriff Nick Morawcznski. “It has helped us through pandemics and wildfires. It has stood up for us during moments of political strife and movements. And, today, it helps carry us through moments of grief and sorrow.”

“It is this community that Osmar chose to protect,” he added. “And it is this law enforcement family that Osmar chose to stand shoulder to shoulder with in confronting the evils of this world.”

‘Unwavering sense of duty’

Beyond Rodarte’s “unwavering sense of duty,” Yuba County sheriff’s Lt. Chad Watson said Rodarte was a “hero,” with contagious passion and energy. He had an “it” factor, Watson said.

“Osmar wasn’t just one of those people passing through,” he added.

Far from passing through, Rodarte was a part of Antar Haqq’s life for years of friendship. Haqq said Rodarte was a thoughtful and humble person, devoted as a son and a role model to his own sons, while still being a “mama’s boy” at heart. He said Rodarte was not just the life of the party, but the party itself.

“A whirlwind of energy, goofiness, love and seriousness, all wrapped into one incredible man,” Haqq said.

Following the service, a procession of officers escorted Rodarte’s body to a private graveside service with family members. For one last time, hundreds of officers lined the roadway outside of the venue, stood at attention and held their hands to their heads as they said farewell to one of their own.