MANSFIELD ─ The memorial stones at the square in downtown Mansfield provide people an opportunity to connect and tell the stories of law enforcement, according to Mansfield Police chaplain Mark Dettmer.
Erected a year ago, the two stones were officially introduced to the public in a Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony on Saturday morning. The monuments are dedicated to current police officers, those who have served and those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
The three-volley salute was performed by the Color Guard that gathered officers from Mansfield and Richland County. Two Mansfield officers placed white carnations at the stones in honor of those killed when serving the community.
Their names were read during the ceremony. They are Officer Brian Evans in 2007, Officer Michael Hutchison in 1976, Lt. William Taylor in 1949 and Officer John Englehart Jr. in 1893.
Mike Bammann, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 32, said the original horseshoe monument was placed at the square in late 1983 as part of the celebration for the 175th birthday of the City of Mansfield.
It was sponsored by FOP Lodge 32, Mansfield Police Recreation Club and the Mansfield Police Patrolling Association. Bammann said the monuments have always been at the same location but were forgotten throughout the years. FOP Lodge 32 expanded the size of them and placed the stones last spring.
Dettmer, who spoke at the ceremony, said for those who have served in law enforcement, the memorial is a pllace to connect with an old friend, shed a tear as they remember a sad moment, or enjoy a smile as they reflect on fond moments in the past.
“Here you can connect with all those of like spirit and calling, both the living and the dead,” Dettmer said.
He also asked the general public to bring a white carnation and offer a prayer on behalf of those families whose loved ones paid the ultimate price while attempting to bring order from chaos in the life of their community.
People should think of the monument as a message to the living more than a memorial to the dead, Dettmer said.
“A message that we need our law enforcement now more than ever,” the chaplain said. “A message that order does not come naturally because there have always been those forces since the dawn of time that want to threaten order and peace.”
