2018 December Paso Robles Magazine

Remembering SLO Stringer
By Melissa Chavez
Highway memorial sign honors photojournalist Matthew Frank
When Matthew Frank
died in a car accident
on his way to a twoalarm
fire during the wee hours of
March 21, 2017, it seemed as if all
of San Luis Obispo County reeled
at the news. As more information
became known about the anonymous
local photojournalist known
as SLOStringer, the loss became
even more inconceivable. He had
just turned 30. How could someone
so young, vibrant, and integral to
the daily lives of so many people be
gone so soon?
SLOStringer was esteemed by
citizens and first responders alike for
accurate, time-sensitive reporting of
traffic accidents, fires and other incidents.
Hundreds attended his funeral.
To this day, people who have
never met Matthew still mention on
social media the loss of his presence.
On November 2, a ceremony was
held to dedicate a stretch of Highway
101 between Avila Beach Drive
and Spyglass Drive as Matthew
“SLOStringer” Frank Memorial
Highway. The proposal, introduced
by 35th District Assemblyman Jordan
Cunningham, was made official
last August. Flanked by fire trucks
and rescue units, a large crowd witnessed
the ribbon-cutting at Madonna
Meadow, approximately ten
miles from where Matthew died.
A VIBRANT
YOUNG MAN
Mila Vujovich-LaBarre, one of
Matthew’s teachers at San Luis
Obispo High School, remembers
him well. Matthew also babysat for
her daughters, Danica and Jorja.
“He was enthusiastic, smart,
compassionate and had a sense of
humor,” Mila said. “Matt dutifully
transported my precious daughters
to and from school and helped
with other daily chores of running
a household. Matt was a champion
in that he was always upbeat around
the children and had high standards
for their behavior. My children
would always share Matt’s ‘Lesson
of the Day’ at our dinner table about
road safety or life in general. I can
see the future SLOStringer’s smiling
face and hear his charming voice
like it was yesterday. His early passing
was so very tragic. He served our
community well with such a humble
demeanor. My prayers and good
thoughts are with his family and
close friends. May he rest in peace.”
A CONTINUAL
OUTPOURING
The day after Matthew died,
Coast 104.5 FM radio produced a
tribute to him in the form of a compilation
of music and statements by
the community who shared stories
of the direct impact that he had
on their lives.
One man described his encounter
with Matthew after learning
that his father committed suicide.
When he saw inquiries about police
and coroner activity posted on
the SLOStringer Facebook page, he
contacted Matthew with a request
to keep details of his father’s death
private as he returned to the Central
Coast. Matthew honored his request,
replied with condolences, and
gave him his phone number. When
they met over coffee three days later,
Matthew presented him flowers for
the man’s mother.
“The respect that he had and the
integrity that he had was something
that had out-matured his age,” the
man said.. “I’ll always remember
meeting him… he wasn’t doing
anything for pride, for ego boost
or for money; he was just doing it
because it was the right thing to do.
He was doing it out of the kindness
of his heart.”
From August 13 to September
6, 2016, Matthew provided roundthe-clock
coverage of the 46,344-
acre Chimney Fire stretching from
Lake Nacimiento to Ft. Hunter
Liggett in San Luis Obispo and
Monterey counties. One woman’s
family in Bryson was evacuated for
ten days. When she realized that
Matthew was reporting near her
home, she asked if he could check
on the chickens and cats on her
property. When Matthew complied
and contacted her the following
day, she was amazed. Not only
did Matthew send photos, he even
fed her animals.
Along with the public, firefighters’
family members expressed thanks
on Matthew’s Facebook page for
his posts, photos and video reports,
which often surpassed those of the
area’s most sophisticated media
outlets, and for providing real-time
information about the record-breaking
inferno that destroyed 70 homes
and structures.
One woman, who preferred not
to be named, saw Matthew almost
daily when she worked nights as
a Chimney Fire command post
volunteer with the San Luis Obispo
County Sheriff ’s Search and
Rescue Unit.
“He had more information than
we had, but we gave him burritos,”
the volunteer said. “Our job was to
keep the generator going and the
radios up. National media outlets
were at the fairgrounds with Cal
Fire. Where was Matthew? At the
fire. It became erratic at one point,
but he was the direct line to all of us.
Matthew was there to help, not hinder,
and he did so in more ways than
people ever could. From the frontline,
his information was invaluable.
Matthew respected, honored,
and helped us do our job as a third
responder. He was truly respected
and earned the trust of everybody,
including kids. At the memorial last
month, this little gal named Mercy
carried a flag in her hand. Before he
died, she’d told her mom that she
was going to marry SLOStringer.
“While Matthew’s mother spoke
at the podium, CHP helicopter H70
had to respond to a call,” said the
volunteer. “As it flew up, the crowd
was awestruck as it hovered there for
a moment before it took off. I like to
think that was to honor Matthew.
He’s such a loss. There’s never going
to be another SLOStringer. I’ve
never met somebody who had so
much compassion for our community.
He truly was an amazing angel
and we were gifted by him.”
28 | pasomagazine.com PASO Magazine, December 2018