Thursday, May 04, 2000
Police memorial planned
Fund-raising auction is Saturday
By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CLEARCREEK TOWNSHIP — When Errol Butt raised the notion of building a police memorial dedicated to Warren County officers, his motive was simple.
“It's important for the officers to know that what they have given — the ultimate sacrifice — is something that is remembered by those of us still working and those that have been affected by those deaths,” said Mr. Butt, who is president of the Warren County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 103.
Beginning with an auction Saturday, the FOP hopes to realize that idea by raising at least $5,000 through a series of public events at the lodge, 1343 W. Ohio 122.
An auction preview begins at 1 p.m., and bidding starts at 3 p.m. Items include gift certificates, Cincinnati Reds tickets, Longaberger baskets, Beanie Babies, collectibles and sports items.
A benefit car show will be held at the FOP lodge in September.
Specific plans for the me morial, to be built in front of the FOP lodge, are in the early stages.
The only sure thing is that a monument, possibly a large stone, will be inscribed with the names of five county officers who died on duty, Mr. Butt said.
The officers are:
ăSheriff W.E. Graham, who died in 1938. Details of his death were not available.
ăDeputy Homer Burlile, who collapsed after a heart attack in 1980.
ăMason Chief James Elder, who was killed in a crash in 1982.
ăSpringboro Officer William Johnson, who died in 1983 after being struck by a drunken driver during a traffic stop.
ăMorrow Officer Jeff Phegley, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in 1987.
Mr. Butt said a preliminary concept also calls for a brick sidewalk, a bench and eventually an eternal flame. The $5,000 price tag is a “bottom line” estimate for construction, which will probably cost more.
“We don't want to do something that does not give justice to the officers of our county,” Mr. Butt said.
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