Monument to honor departed assistant chief Roger Fields

Roger Fields might not have died in the line of duty, but friends and colleagues want to make sure the late police officer's achievements are honored.

Doug Austin spoke to the Cape Girardeau County Commission at its regular meeting Monday morning on behalf of Seniors and Lawmen Together to ask for approval of a memorial monument. It would be placed in Cape County Park North near the memorial built in 2010 to recognize the 48 officers from Southeast Missouri killed in the line of duty.

Fields, who died in March of a health condition, was a driving force in SALT, Austin said, and deserved a "lasting memorial and tribute."

While the memorial would be near the plaque and etched panels recognizing the area's fallen officers, he stressed that the two would be separate to respect the memories and sacrifices of each. The former Cape Girardeau assistant police chief was instrumental in making the existing memorial a reality, so Austin said it was fitting a memorial for Fields rest near it.

The new memorial would consist of two pieces. The first is a bench that will sit near the entrance to the fallen officers memorial. The placement isn't final and Austin said the group was "trying to stay flexible," but they would like it to face a large American flag to the west. The bench will be inscribed with a phrase many have used since Fields' death: "Because of Roger Fields, the badge shines brighter today."

Roger Fields

The second piece will be a large rock featuring a plaque with a depiction of Fields and his badge. Austin said this part of the memorial seemed truly fitting.

"Roger Fields was a rock. I don't know what else to say about that," he said to the county commissioners.

The memorial will be paid for by SALT through donations, he said, and the group was working with park officials as it moved forward.

The commission gave unanimous approval for the project and agreed it was a deserved and fitting tribute to Fields.

While the group still is working through many details, Austin said they plan to host a dedication ceremony for the memorial Oct. 13, Fields' birthday.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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