Elmer E. Ratte

Groveland, MA: Elmer E. Ratte, 79, Retired Deputy Police Chief for the City of Haverhill, died March 7, 2012 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House after a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Born in Haverhill on March 7, 1933, the youngest son of the late Elmer E. and Florence A. (O -Brien) Ratta, he attended Haverhill Schools and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1950, he was captain of the track team that year.  He later attended Northeastern University and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Highest Honors.

He was the beloved husband of Helen (Natalino) Ratte with whom he shared fifty-nine wonderful years of marriage.  In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by a lovely daughter and a wonderful son.  Cheryl Ann Owens and her husband Patrick of Charlotte, North Carolina and Alan Joseph Ratte and his wife Jill of Haverhill, MA.  Beloved grandchildren are Amanda Owens, James Owens, Michael and Sean Ratte. He was predeceased by his brother John Ratta.

For twenty-four years, he and his family enjoyed their summer home at Great East Lake in Wakefield, N.H.  Since 1987, he and his wife have wintered in Florida.  He and his wife enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas and Foxwood's, but most of all, they loved cruises.  He enjoyed fishing, carpentry, sports and all outdoor activities.

In his early years, he was employed at Western Electric Company and later as a route salesman for H.P. Hood & Son.  On October 4, 1960 he was appointed a permanent reserve patrolman for the Haverhill Police Department.  He worked as a full-time reserve officer until he was appointed a permanent patrolman in 1964.  In 1962, he and Sergeant James F. Long were the co-recipients of the 1962 "Policeman of the Year"' award for their involvement in a gun battle in which Sergeant Long was wounded.  He and Sergeant Long received commendations from the National Police Hall of Fame Awards Committee at Port Charlotte, Florida as the result of their names being submitted for consideration for an award for heroic service in the performance of their duty.

He was promoted to the position of Sergeant in August of 1966.  In November of 1969, he was promoted to Police Captain.  In 1976, he topped the Civil Service List for Chief of Police, but declined the position for personal reasons.  In April of 1983, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police.  He was a "true"' student of the law.  He topped every civil service exam he took.  On September 11, 1987, he retired on an accidental disability that was the result of three back surgeries.

A little known fact was that he was an avid walker.  For twenty-three years, he would get up at 4:00 a.m. and he would walk six miles each day, seven days a week, and fifty-two weeks a year.  His routes varied throughout Haverhill and Groveland.  There were no exceptions made for weather, sickness, travel or vacations.  No matter where he was, he walked, whether it was on a cruise ship, a foreign country or traveling across country.  He missed very few days walking during that twenty-three year period.  It is conservatively estimated that he logged in excess of 46,000 miles over and above normal everyday walking.  He was one of New Balance's best advertisements.  He went through a minimum of four pair of walking shoes annually.  He received a commendation from Chief Alan Denaro and the Haverhill Police Department for foiling a break-in at a liquor store in Haverhill Plaza on July 16, 2009 in the wee hours of the morning.   His actions resulted in the arrest of the trio responsible.

In January of 2011, he had to stop walking due to the severity of his illness, but he continued to ride a stationary bicycle.

At the request of Mr. Ratte, funeral services are private.  Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 West Evergreen Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL  60642.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH.