Greater Southern Tier BOCES unveils revamped memorial to Robie’s parents
By Michael T. Baldwin
A Steuben County community has honored the life of Derrick Robie, who at the age of four, was brutally murdered in 1993 in the Village of Savona.
The new Derrick J. Robie Memorial Field was presented to Derrick’s parents on Saturday. The effort was coordinated by community members and students at G-S-T BOCES who gave some details of the project:
“GST BOCES, and the Village of Savona, have been working hard for several months on a community service project to remodel and renovate the field in memory of the late Derrick J. Robie and his love for T-ball.
Extensive renovations and improvements have been taking place to improve the Derrick Robie Memorial Field and the small park where Derrick’s Monument is located. We are estimating that the cost of this project at approximately $25,000.00. This is from money and materials that have been donated to this project by Southern Tier Area businesses, service groups, the Village of Savona, and several individuals.”
The convicted killer, Eric Smith, who was just 13 at the time of the murder, was paroled last October after 27 years in prison.
In 2016, Derrick’s father Dale, spoke emotionally about an upcoming parole hearing for his son’s killer. It’s a process they went through every two years:
Doreen Robie had this to say in 2016, just prior to the every other year parole hearing.
Smith’s parole that year was again denied. According to WENY-TV, the Robie family hopes the newly renovated field will help remind parents to cherish the moments they have with their kids.
