Fallen law officers memorial breaks ground
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Barry Halvorson Solemn Occasion Representatives from government and law enforcement were on hand Monday to ceremonially turn soil at the future site of a memorial for Wharton County's law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty.

Realizing that some of the law enforcement offi- cers who died in the line of duty have been forgotten once, the goal of the Wharton County Peace Officers Memorial Project is to make sure they are never forgotten again.

A brief ground-breaking ceremony was held for the proposed memorial Monday. It will be on the grounds of the Wharton County Sheriff's Department at the corner of Elm and Resident streets.

During the ceremony, Wharton County 100 Club officer and project committee civic coordinator Billie Jones said the aftermath of the shooting death of TPWD Game Warden Justin Hurst prompted the idea of the memorial. Hurst was shot and killed just after midnight on March 17 following a pursuit that involved a number of law enforcement units.

"When we heard about the death of Justin Hurst a lot of people knew that Sheriff (Hamilton Bass) Dickson had been killed in the line of duty," she said. "What a lot of people didn't realize (was) that three others had also been killed while protecting the citizens of Wharton County. We did not want them to be forgotten again and wanted to pay them honor."

Dickson was killed in 1984. Others paying the ultimate price as a peace officer in Wharton County include Deputy Jailer Henry Ross McCain, killed in 1908; El Campo City Marshal James Otway Lee, 1914; and Deputy Sheriff Harry Charles McCormick, 1920.

Jones reminded those gathered for the ceremony that no tax dollars are being spent on the memorial. It is being funded entirely by private donations from businesses, companies and individuals.

Among those who have already donated include Zarsky Lumber, San Antonio Steel and Eagle Cordell of Eagle Lake, which have donated materials to the project.

Jones cited Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Agent Darryl Darnell for serving as the law enforcement coordinator for the project.

Describing the history of the effort to this point, Darnell said he was given permission by the county commissioners to locate the memorial at the law enforcement center, which is county property. He also described what the group hopes to build at the site. It will include a flagstone sidewalk, a 24-foot by 20-foot flagstone patio that will include benches for those visiting the memorial.

The memorial itself will be a 20-feet long by 6-feet tall Texas limestone wall with three columns and three flag poles flying the U.S., Texas and Peace Officer Memorial flags.

Attached to the memorial will be cast aluminum plaques made by the same company that creates the Texas Historical Department markers. One will be a Texas Wreath while the other will mark the memorial itself with the words "Wharton County Peace Officer Memorial, 'It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, but how they lived.'" There will also be individual plaques recognizing each of the peace officers.

Individuals interested in supporting the project can make a tax deductible donation. Donations should be made out to the Peace Officer Memorial Project - 100 Club of Wharton County Inc. Donations can mailed to P.O. Box 46, El Campo, TX, 77437.

For more information, contact Darnell at 532-1550.