If there was ever a question whether Sammamish appreciated school resource officer Stan Chapin, it was answered Tuesday afternoon.

Roughly 200 members of the community — many from Eastlake High School and Inglewood Middle School — showed up to honor the longtime officer as the city officially renamed the new entrance to Eastlake, at the intersection of Northeast Eighth Street and 233rd Ave. N.E., “Stan Chapin Way.”

Stan’s wife Sue, children Chris, Scott and Bethany and many other members of the extended family were on hand for the dedication.

Chapin, a 12-year veteran of the Sammamish Police Department and near 40-year veteran of the King County Sheriff’s Office, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Jan. 30, 2012 at the age of 61. When he was discovered early in the morning, his pockets were reportedly found full of Jolly Rancher candies, one of the things he loved to share with students.

“As a school resource officer Stan devoted his life to helping students choose the correct path in life,” said Sammamish Mayor Tom Odell. “He was a friend and advisor to many young people … at a time when they perhaps needed one most.”

Inglewood principal Tim Patterson, who worked with Chapin for a decade, shared a story of a student in serious trouble with the police. The boy ducked out of school and ran away as soon as he heard police were at school looking for him. Moments later, he called officer Chapin on his cell phone for advice.

“That moment took a tremendous amount of trust from that student who needed a friend in that very moment and he knew he could tell Stan,” Patterson said.

In addition to the unveiling of the new sign and a ribbon cutting, the Chapin family was also presented with a plaque honoring Stan.

“When he brought home that Officer of the Year award and that little plaque, all I know is he loves plaques, so if he was here he’d be loving this one,” Scott Chapin joked.

Chris Chapin said his family was overwhelmed by the amount of support its received the last 10 months and that having a street named after him is something far more than his dad would have ever expected.

“It is truly remarkable the impact one man can make upon the world by just doing what he feels is right,” he said. “I hope that each time you drive by Stan Chapin Way it brings back the fondest memory you have of the man that was so impactful to your community. I know that one day when I have some children of my own I’ll take them to this very street and tell them about what made their grandpa such a remarkable human being.”

Sammamish Chief of Police Nate Elledge tells stories of his former officer Stan Chapin before the unveiling of the new street sign. Mayor Tom Odell, Sue Chapin, Bethany Chapin, Chris Chapin and Scott Chapin look on.

A crowd of nearly 200 looks on during the dedication ceremony for Stan Chapin Way on Tuesday.