Doran Bridge: Beautiful but sad

Most drivers who zip over the 400-foot high bridge are unaware that it was initially named for Hillsborough police officer Eugene Doran who was shot to death during a routine traffic stop near the spot where the bridge would be built. Some unenlightened motorists have referred to the bridge as “The Flintstone Bridge,” a reference to a nearby house that consists of free-form domes. Serra High School history teacher Kevin Carey thinks it’s time the Doran story was better known.

Carey said his students, and himself, drove over the bridge numerous times unaware of “the sad history.” Carey also said the youngsters visit the graves of the Dorans at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno.

“Most of my students have expressed surprise, but also remorse for the tragedy of the family,” he said.

Eugene Doran was killed Aug. 5, 1959, by Alexander Robillard. Accounts say the officer was shot six times, the last bullet fired in his neck in a coup de grace. Doran stopped the car Robillard was driving on Black Mountain Road near Skyline Boulevard and radioed dispatch to request that the license plates be checked to see if the auto was stolen. It was. Robillard pulled out a .32 caliber revolver and fired. Doran left behind a pregnant wife and two children.

Robillard, who was 19 at the time and had an extensive criminal record, was executed in 1961 for the slaying. Serra is a Catholic high school, so Carey’s students would find it interesting that Robillard’s eyes and those of his confessor-priest were locked during the entire time, according to an account of Robillard’s death that appeared in the San Mateo Times.

“There was an interchange of thoughts and expressions throughout the execution between the priest” and the cop-killer, a witness recounted. “He and the priest were as one,” the witness continued, adding that Robillard was “at peace with his God.”

This November, voters will decide on two measures concerning capital punishment: Proposition 62 would ban executions while Proposition 66 would streamline the appeals process to speed up executions.

The second blow for the Doran family came in 1967 when Marine Patrick Michael Doran was killed in action in Vietnam. A graduate of Burlingame High School, Doran was 20 years old when he was fatally injured by an explosive device near Quan Nam, according to his military record. Doran’s name is inscribed on Panel 15E, Row 57 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the nation’s capital. In 2004, the state renamed the bridge that spans San Mateo Creek “The Officer Eugene and Marine Lance Corporal Patrick M. Doran Memorial Bridge.” Carey finds it poignant that the son was “not much older than” his students, a fact highlighted when “we cover Vietnam.”

About the bridge’s “most beautiful” honor: The selection came in 1970, bestowed by the American Institute of Steel Construction. The bridge should be viewed from underneath to truly appreciate its beauty. The bridge was designed by architect Mario Ciampi of San Rafael, known for his work in reinforced concrete structures. His other designs include the University Art Museum and the Newman Center Chapel in Berkeley.

Also, the portion of the freeway that runs from Daly City to Cupertino is often referred to as “the world’s most beautiful freeway.” It’s officially entitled the Junipero Serra Freeway. There’s also another Serra connection: A massive 26-foot tall statue of the Spanish missionary stands not far from the Doran Bridge.

The Rear View Mirror by history columnist Jim Clifford appears in the Daily Journal every other Monday. Objects in The Mirror are closer than they appear.