Category: News || By Editor
A memorial service has been set for 7 p.m. Wednesday for retired city Police Capt. Roberta "Robbie" Harrigan, who died Saturday after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 59.
Harrigan, a 31-year veteran of the McKeesport Police, was the city's first female officer when she was hired in 1974 and as a result became one of the department's most familiar faces.
She remained the only woman on the force until 1989, telling the Post-Gazette that year that she had been the victim of some "vicious" harassment and name-calling in her early days.
"I'm the type of person, the more you try to make me quit, the more I'm going to stay," Harrigan said. "I traded insult for insult and never let them see me upset."
Women police officers, she said in 1989, have "to work 10 times harder than a man."
Following a nine-year stint as a dog handler in the city's K-9 unit, partnered with Corporal, a shepherd, and Damien, a rottweiler, Harrigan rose to captain of the detective bureau before her retirement.
She also helped her husband, the late Jack Harrigan, train police dogs.
Harrigan was born Oct. 14, 1949, daughter of Edward Raletich and the late Ann Raletich, and is survived by her father; her sister, Pamela A. Milton of White Oak; and a nephew, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends will be received from 12 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at William H. Craig Funeral Home, 3000 Versailles Ave., where the memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 91.
Services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Thursday at Craig Funeral Home with the Rev. Kathleen Barnhart of Beulah Park United Methodist Church officiating.
Interment will follow at McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery.
More details are available in the Tribune-Review and Daily News.
Sorry to read such a pioneer go…and in such a manner. A courageous woman for both her service and her battle with cancer. I hope that other young women are inspired by her now. R.I.P.
Thee Dude - July 21, 2009
To comment on any story at Tube City Almanac, email tubecitytiger@gmail.com, send a tweet to www.twitter.com/tubecityonline, visit our Facebook page, or write to Tube City Almanac, P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, PA 15134.
You are reading the July 21, 2009 entry of Tube City Almanac. Click the banner to return to the Almanac's front page, or click here to visit Tube City Online.
: :
Except where noted, all contents are copyright © 2003-2014 Tube City Community Media Inc., a non-profit corporation chartered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. No content from Tube City Online may be reproduced in whole or part in any digital or print publication without express permission, except that short excerpts may be used with attribution in commentary or for critical purposes.
Published weekdays (usually), except holidays (and when we have something better to do) at McKeesport, Pa., by Tube City Community Media Inc., P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, Pa. 15134.
Opinions expressed here are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent those of any organization. No warranty is given or implied for the information and opinions contained herein; the reader uses that information at his or her peril.
Tube City Online is edited by Jason Togyer, member, National Writers Union, AFL-CIO, and Online News Association.
Also, objects in Tube City Online may be closer than they appear. If Tube City Online is swallowed, seek professional help immediately. Stop use of Tube City Online if condition persists or worsens. Tube City Online is produced in a facility that also includes Peanuts. Do not expose Tube City Online to open flames and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not back up, as severe tire damage may result. Not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Tube City Online is still not a significant source of saturated fats or Minnesota Fats.
Tube City Online does not collect personal information from visitors for any reasons. See our privacy policy.
