Parish’s 911 Communications Center dedicated and renamed for Sheriff’s Col. Jerry Rathburn, who died April 21 and was driving force behind modern system

Trudy Rathburn, on front row and has white hair, cuts the ribbon at the dedication and renaming of the parish 911 Center in the name of her deceased husband, sheriff’s Col. Gerald “Jerry’’ Rathburn who died of an illness last April 21. He is credited as the driving force behind St. Bernard’s modern 911 emergency system.

Trudy Rathburn, in blue dress, stands among a group of family members who toured the inside of the 911 Center with Sheriff James Pohlmann after the ceremony renaming the building in honor of her deceased husband, sheriff’s Col. Jerry Rathburn.

Col. Gerald “Jerry’’ Rathburn.

Sheriff’s Col. Gerald “Jerry’’ Rathburn, who died of an illness April 21, is considered the driving force behind St. Bernard Parish’s modern 911 emergency system and on Monday, Oct. 8, he received his due – the dedication and renaming of the Chalmette building in his honor.

Trudy M. Rathburn, his widow, cut the ribbon with Sheriff James Pohlmann at the site in the 8000 block of West St. Bernard Highway which bears his name. The building originally opened in July 2004, built by businessman Charles Bienvenue and was renovated after flooding in Hurricane Katrina.

“I think it looks vice nice, I didn’t expect this,’’ said Mrs. Rathburn as she looked up at the new lettering at the top of the 911 Center as she stood with family members who attended a ceremony.

Also there were about 50 people from the Sheriff’s Office, parish government, State Police, Acadian Ambulance and those who served with Rathburn on the parish’s 911 Communications District, for which Rathburn was technical adviser.

Parish President David Peralta and the Parish Council honored the memory of Rathburn with a proclamation given to his window last May, attended by numerous Sheriff’s Office representatives.

Rathburn passed away at 80, still working. After retiring from private business he had served in numerous capacities for the Sheriff’s Office, including head of the Communications and Technology Divisions and its Reserve Division.

“He loved his job. He never would have quit,’’ Mrs. Rathburn said after his death.

Sheriff Pohlmann, President Peralta and Fire Chief Thomas Stone, all said Jerry Rathburn will always be missed in St. Bernard Parish.

“We wanted to make sure his is never forgotten,’’ the sheriff said of renaming the 911 Center in his honor. “Jerry worked behind the scenes for many years and he had a big impact on law enforcement under three sheriffs and played an important role in our modern 911 system,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“He was the brains behind what we have today,’’ including the inter-operable radio system that allows various entities such as the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department and others to communicate with each other, the sheriff said. “What we have today is a tribute to Jerry Rathburn.”

Peralta, who worked with him both at the Sheriff’s Office and as CAO at parish government, said, “Jerry wouldn’t compromise’’ on what was needed for the 911 Center. “This is such a tribute to him.”

Stone said, “It’s fitting’’ to honor Rathburn for his work. “It will be nice to pass this building and see his name on it.’’

For years, Rathburn was responsible for the 911 emergency system, and computer, radio and telephone systems of the Sheriff’s Office. He had worked for years in private business before joining the Sheriff’s Office in 1987 and had been a member of the Reserve Division before he headed it for years.

He also was a Marine Corp. veteran of the Korean Conflict.