Sheriff's Office Unveils Memorial

Publication Date: May 16, 2002

By Jessica Brown
jebrown@coxohio.com
Reprinted with permission by the Journal-News

A crowd of more than 200 people sat in silence, watching. A corps of Butler County Sheriff’s Office deputies and officials stood at attention to their right each holding a white carnation.

The sheriff’s office caisson unit approached with a flag-draped casket during a solemn ceremony Wednesday outside the new Butler County Jail.

It wasn’t a funeral - although many gave remarks of remembrance and said prayers. It was a ceremony to honor and remember the peace officers in Butler County and throughout the country who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

On Wednesday, National Peace Officer Memorial Day, the long-awaited Butler County Peace Officer Memorial was unveiled and dedicated.

“We want to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, giving their lives in the pursuit of justice,” said Sheriff Harold Don Gabbard.

The memorial, situated outside the entrance of the future site of the new Butler County Jail, 705 Hanover St., consists of a life-sized bronze statue in the likeness of Police Inspector Arthur Walke - the first Butler County officer killed in the 20th century - and a curved granite wall engraved with the names and dates of death of the county’s 20 fallen peace officers from seven different agencies.

The $150,000 memorial project is a collaborative effort between the sheriff's office and municipal, township and other county law enforcement organizations. It is funded primarily by donations and grants.

Hamilton Police Chief Neil Ferdelman, speaking on behalf of the Police Chiefs Association of Butler County, said the officers whose names were on the wall and those still standing are all heroes.

“To save a life is the greatest honor. Often it comes at a terrible price,” he said. “Our brothers and sisters who wear the badge are an inspiration to all of us. They are and will forever be our heroes. Because of your courage and bravery, our citizens can sleep well tonight.”

During the ceremony, deputies raised an American flag and a black and white memorial flag, then lowered them to half-staff on a flagpole centered inside the arc.

After the statue was unveiled, sheriff’s deputies paraded past, depositing their carnations in a basket atop the wall.

As Gabbard read the list of names, the sheriff’s office helicopter swooped by, then a 21-gun salute and taps echoed across the site.

The sheriff’s drum and bagpipe corps played “Amazing Grace” and 11 doves were released, in remembrance of all those who lost their lives on Sept. 11.

Several elected officials, judges, and representatives from the county’s 13 police agencies and the State Highway Patrol also attended the event, as did families of some of the officers whose names were engraved on the wall.

“It was very moving,” said Barb Taylor of Middletown, whose uncle, Middletown Patrolman Harold Roth, was shot and killed in 1928 while on duty.

“They have received the recognition they deserve. We are very fortunate to still have law enforcement officers among us. They are here at our fingertips to keep us safe,” she said.

Dorothy Nantz, 80, and Ruth Bishop, 74, of Hamilton, granddaughters of Walke, the officer whose likeness graces the memorial, said they were “honored” by the long-awaited memorial.

“The whole family is so proud to be represented this way,” Bishop said. Walke was killed by an inmate in 1916, she said.

The memorial was designed by Andrea Myklebust and Stanton G. Sears of Minneapolis, Minn.

The names of the following fallen peace officers from Butler County are engraved on the wall of the Butler County Peace Officer’s Memorial:

• Middletown Police Officer Edgar L. Dye, died March 21, 1913.
• Hamilton Police Inspector Arthur M. Walke, died July 3, 1916.
• Hamilton Police Patrolman George A. Lentz, died August 6, 1918.
• Hamilton Merchant Policeman Harry E. Baker, died December 15, 1919.
• Hamilton Police Desk Sergeant Charles Stegemann, died June 25, 1920.
• Fairfield Township Motorcycle Patrolman Emery Farmer, died Nov. 8, 1922.
• Seven Mile Prohibition Agent Wilbur F. Jacobs, died June 20, 1925.
• Seven Mile Prohibition Agent Robert Gary, died Nov. 21, 1925.
• Middletown Police Patrolman Charles A. Skeen, died April 10, 1926.
• Middletown Police Patrolman George L. McChesney, died July 18, 1928
• Middletown Police Patrolman Harold Roth, died May 5, 1928.
• Middletown Police Patrolman Ebert Crout, died May 6, 1928.
• Middletown Police Patrolman Daniel Sandlin, died March 20, 1930.
• Hamilton Police Sub-Patrolman Earl Grubb, died Jan. 1, 1935.
• FBI Agent Nelson B. Klein, died August 16, 1935.
• Hamilton Police Patrolman Arthur Sponsel, died April 12, 1937.
• Hamilton Police Patrolman Aaron C. Laubach, died Jan. 27, 1938.
• New Miami Marshal William Simpson, died Jan. 17, 1939.
• Middletown Police Assistant Chief Henry Brinkmeyer, died October 29, 1939.
• Ohio State Highway Patrolman Ernest E. Cole, died October 3, 1964.

Source: Butler County Sheriff’s Office