Oct. 30—”Endlessly honored.”
These phrases are written on one of many 5 granite slabs that comprise the just lately unveiled Raleigh County Sheriff’s Memorial.
The monument honors deputies who died within the line of obligation and features a Ok-9 appreciation memorial.
It was unveiled Friday on the Raleigh County Sheriff’s new headquarters within the Pinecrest Industrial Park.
Raleigh County Sheriff J.C. Canaday mentioned the monument serves as a reminder for his deputies and the neighborhood of the dedication made by previous and current members of the division.
“I feel it is exhausting to get to the place you wish to go if you do not have an concept of the place you’ve got been,” Canaday mentioned. “Everyone who’s labored right here, women and men alike, make us what we’re at this time. They’re a part of our historical past.”
4 names are listed on the monument for fallen deputies.
Subsequent to these names is an EOW (finish of watch) date.
The primary of these names is Deputy Golden Frye, EOW July 22, 1921. Frye was shot whereas breaking apart a combat at a baseball sport in Glen White on July 3, 1921. He died of his accidents just a few weeks later.
Deputy George W. Spangler, EOW Feb. 19, 1927 — Spangler was shot within the chest and killed throughout an arrest of two brothers in Oswald.
Deputy Leamon “Slim” Martin, EOW Dec. 17, 1934 — Martin was overwhelmed to demise in Ghent with a hammer and his pistol by two males he had simply arrested.
Deputy Jess Thompson, EOW July 7, 1938 — Thompson was shot and killed in Clear Fork as he and a civilian carried out surveillance on a cave the place stolen property had been saved. When the suspect returned, a shootout ensued during which Thompson and the suspect had been killed.
The accounts of how these officers died had been compiled from newspaper articles written on the time and a web-based memorial website.
Canaday mentioned planning and fundraising for the memorial started a number of years in the past when the brand new Raleigh County Sheriff’s headquarters was initially being designed.
“I feel it is necessary to memorialize these individuals and the canines, however so far as the fallen officer memorial, to actually memorialize what they did,” he mentioned. “Typically, and for too lengthy, the households felt prefer it did not matter, or their family members had been forgotten, and it was actually vital for us to honor them.”
Canaday mentioned the memorial wouldn’t have been potential with out the monetary assist of residents and companies in Raleigh County, in addition to the Raleigh County Deputy Sheriff’s Affiliation, which aided within the fundraising effort.
Canaday mentioned the Raleigh County Deputy Sheriff’s Affiliation additionally got here up with the design for the memorial with enter from present deputies.
The centerpiece of the memorial is a big black granite slab that depicts a deputy with a bowed head and palms clasped in entrance.
Carved into this identical stone behind the deputy is the American flag and the shadows of different deputies.
“These are the shadows of the individuals which might be killed within the line of obligation which might be sort of symbolically watching over us,” Canaday mentioned.
Canaday mentioned the location of the memorial can also be vital.
He mentioned the fallen officer memorial is “ahead dealing with” and represents the humility, service and sacrifice that officers undertaking on to the general public every day.
Contained in the officer, the memorial could be seen by officers working within the giant street patrol workplace, which is supplied with a private desk for each patrol officer.
“The workplace is behind that memorial, so each time we glance out, we take a look at these individuals. These are the footsteps, the shoulders on which this constructing and all people that works right here stands on,” Canaday mentioned.
Egnor Monument Firm of Crab Orchard crafted the memorial.