New memorial to fallen law enforcement agents planned

The committee of Seniors And Lawmen Together has big plans for its annual law enforcement memorial service next May, when it hopes to unveil a new memorial to honor fallen officers in Cape County Park North.

The committee held a meeting Oct. 8 where members discussed some of the details of the planned memorial, designed to resemble the National Law Enforcement Memorial and be easy to maintain.

The memorial, which is replacing an existing monument, will consist of three panels, each three feet tall and about 18 inches thick. They will be mounted on a concrete base, said committee member Paul Nenninger.

Steel pins will connect the black granite panels and hold them in place to deter vandalism.

The names of Southeast Missouri officers killed in the line of duty will be etched on the panels, including their department and date of death, Nenninger said.

The monument itself is estimated to cost about $5,500. The committee is relying on donations to raise the money. The 12th annual memorial service is planned for May 15, and committee members hope to unveil the new memorial in time for the ceremony, said Capt. Roger Fields, committee chairman.

Brass nameplates on the current memorial would likely be removed and given to family members or the departments of those officers, Fields said.

Also in the works for next years' celebration of Peace Officers Memorial Day are plans to create a commemorative book dedicated to Southeast Missouri officers who died as a result of their work in law enforcement.

Currently, committee members are focusing on possible designs and ideas for the book and haven't gotten into the details of the project yet, said Doug Austin.

"We're concerned right now with developing the perfect book," Austin said.

Committee members are working with relatives and friends of the officers who will be mentioned in the book to get memories and anecdotes that can be included.

"This is a family deal for us, we're struggling hard to keep this on a personal basis," Austin said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

388-3635