Friday, July 09, 1999
Park helps residents celebrate officer's life
BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK — Standing outside Dayspring Church of God two years ago, Betty Secor watched as tears rolled down the face of a teen-ager following the funeral of Forest Park Police Officer Bruce Ferguson.
Mrs. Secor decided at that moment to turn sorrow into joy.
Her determination and the willingness of others has helped create Bruce Fergu son Park at Smiley Avenue and Hitchcock Drive.
A dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the park.
Officer Ferguson took his own life Dec. 4, 1997. But officials are hoping the park will help celebrate the life of a man whose love for people, his job and his community was legendary.
“We hope this will be a way to remember his life,” City Manager Ray Hodges said. “We don't want to focus on the tragedy ... but on the positives of his life.”
Officer Ferguson had been dedicated to improving safety and the quality of life in this northern suburb through juvenile programs and community-oriented policing, both as a detective and as a leader in Kiwanis.
The 22-year police veteran also lead the “Cops and Teens” project aimed at positively influencing local youth. It mixed seminars on teen issues and personal counseling with sports leagues.
“I didn't know him well,” Mrs. Secor said earlier this week. “But he was always so friendly.
“This park is a way of not just honoring him and what he did for the city, but for all of those police officers, the regular guys on the beat who don't get the recognition they deserve.
“We can't give enough credit to those in public service and how much what they do means to all of us,” she said.
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