Ron Emler

This is very sad news, he was a great guy and a wonderful supporter of Echo Park.
Matthew

Ron was far more than just a good friend to Echo Park. He was a founder of EPIA. He started EPSA. He suggested and cajoled until four others formed EPHS. He helped dozens of streets form Neighborhood Watch groups. He paid out of pocket to help anyone. He never complained and always smiled. He was as valuable an asset to Echo Park as Echo Park ever had.

Annalisa

As a community, we have so very much to thank him for. As a friend, he was wonderful to so many of us.

Judith

Ron was a positive force who remained optimistic in what many times seemed like an overwhelming fight against the crime and neglect that afflicted Echo Park.  When I once complained that it took only one person to make life miserable for a neighborhood, he countered by saying that it only takes one person to make it right. I will miss him.

Jesus

At the police meetings he was a dynamic force, ready to assist owners of properties with difficult renters. He was not one to verbalize how to help, but just did it with you.

He worked for North High School in the Torrance School District and a friend of mine who worked there as well told me how he contributed to the lives of truants, students who wanted to quit school - and how he would never give up on any youths - but was determined that they finish school.

His life touched so many

Isa

Ron was an incredible advocate for Echo Park, led by example and his high standards were an inspiration to me. I informed Northeast Police, Senior Lead Officer Sonia Rimkunas and Neighborhood Prosecutor Jeanne Kim. Those are just two people out of many involved in law enforcement who had worked with Ron and had great respect for him and are very saddened by this news.

Ron was the first Echo Park resident I interacted with in my job and he was a pleasure to work with in every way; an outstanding individual who made a real difference, as I can attest, and as these testimonials reveal.

Councilmember Garcetti would like to adjourn Council tomorrow in Rons' honor. This is one way to pay tribute to Ron and to let others throughout the city know about how special he was.
Mitch

Ron was part of the original group in 2000 that slugged through the certification process for GEPENC. I will remember him with deep respect and admiration.
Joselyn

My condolences to everyone who knew and loved Ron. Like Mitch stated, Ron was also the very 1st person I met when I began working in Echo Park. He was definitely a dream come true for any Senior Lead Officer - a strong activist who truly cared about Echo Park. He was strong and demanded change where needed for his community, yet he educated himself and made himself self-sufficient in getting things done. He dedicated so much of his time to other community members when they had an issue on their block. And as if that weren't enough to love Ron, I truly began to get to know him on a more personal level and regarded him as a true friend. Of course many of you had the honor of knowing him a lot longer than I did, and for this I am envious. In a career like mine, unfortunately we police officers rarely allow ourselves to get close to community members on a deep personal or emotional level. But I can honestly and without regret say that Ron truly had my heart. I will miss him.
Senior Lead Officer Sonia

Although I no longer call Echo Park my home, you are all in my hearts as we mourn Ron's untimely passing. He was a true inspiration on so many levels, and will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Marsha

I was shocked to hear of Ron's passing. In Mexican culture we the people have Zapata, Villa, Caesar Chavez, Bert Corona. My Black brothers and sisters Has Dr. King, Malcolm X, each culture has its heroes who all had a vision if there is a wrong, right it. Ron once told me if I didn’t like the ways things where done to start my own group of like minded people and do something to change it, I took his advice and started something for the kids of our community. During one Christmas party Ron came by and dropped off desserts, we both looked each other in the eye, and I knew right then and there we had finally connected and understood each other. We need to keep Ron’s vision alive, keeping his dream alive of treating all people equally, with respect, and without fear, fear will keep any vision from coming through, may we all unite and help the dreams of all these great people alive and may nothing make us quit our vision of, Thank You Ron Emler for all the things you thought me.

Luiza

Ron was the backbone of the Echo Park Security Assoc. He will be sorely missed as a leader as well as a friend.   

Suzanne

I knew Ron Emler for over 20 years, as a co-worker when he was a wonderful Coordinator of a dual program between the Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation & the Torrance Unified School District. Ron was an outstanding Team Leader, and he was the glue that made this collaboration between agencies work. Ron never gave up working with difficult students, no matter what their problems. He was super creative in teaching them job skills, and in developing jobs that fit their interests and uniqueness. He inspired many a youngster to learn, and to succeed as an employee, no matter if the student had not succeeded multiple times on several jobs. He loved working with teenagers, and he would greet youngsters with a smile, a handshake, and an acceptance of them as a unique person. Ron would pull his Team together at meetings he chaired, and help us to iron out our squabbles, and remind us of our purpose whenever we needed to have clarity. Ron was an unsung hero--a very, very hardworking, committed to others soul!

Myrna