CHP Press Release:

A section of US 101 north of Laytonville was dedicated Saturday morning, April 14th, in memory of California Highway Patrol Officer Paul C Jarske, who was killed in a traffic collision while on patrol in the winter of 1981. 

On a snowy winter morning, February 24, 1981, then State Traffic Officer Paul C Jarske was killed in the line of duty when his patrol vehicle veered off of US 101, five miles north of Laytonville, and plummeted 100 feet before finally coming to rest underwater. 

After serving in the United States Air Force, Officer Jarske was appointed to the California Highway Patrol in 1964 and transferred to the Garberville Area in 1978 where he was assigned to the Laytonville Resident Post.

Family and friends of CHP Officer Paul Jarske, including Officer Jarske’s widow, Nancy, Son Michael, daughter-n-law Jennifer, daughter Andrea, and grandchildren Paul and Michelle gathered at the Harwood Hall in Laytonville for a highway dedication ceremony.  A private roadside unveiling of the highway memorial sign was done just prior to the ceremony.

Keynote speakers included CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow, CHP Garberville Area Commander Adam Jager, Retired CHP Officer Larry Gobin, and Caltrans District I Director Charles C. Fielder.  Also in attendance were Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman and Mendocino County District Attorney Dave Eyster.

The CHP and Jarske family are very grateful to Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro and Senator Noreen Evans for sponsoring the Resolution designating a portion of US 101 as CHP Officer Paul C Jarske Memorial Highway.  The 11-99 Foundation and California Association of Highway Patrolmen sponsored the construction of the signs and ceremony.  It is important that officers are never forgotten when making the ultimate sacrifice for the people of the State of California.