Friday, May 19, 2000
Chiefs honor fallen peer
By Terry Flynn
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — A Gallatin County sheriff gunned down in 1954 is now listed on the Police Memorial here because of the diligence and perseverance of one present and one former Northern Kentucky police chief.
A new wreath with a ribbon reading “In Memory of Hubbard Ferguson” stood in front of the podium Thursday morning for the annual police memorial service at Third and Court streets at the foot of the Suspension Bridge.
Mr. Ferguson was shot and killed June 18, 1954, during an investigation. His body was found in a creek, and the killer was never apprehended.
“Somehow, his name slipped through the cracks when the memorial was originally dedicated (four years ago),” said Erlanger Police Chief Greg Sandel, who led the ceremony. “(Former Kenton County Chief) Jeff Butler read about (Mr. Ferguson), and he and I and some other people filed the necessary papers to have him included in police memorials.”
Sandra Ferguson, the deceased sheriff's descendant, who lives in Lynchburg, Va., also worked with local officers to have her relative memorialized.
“I worked more on the other end, to make sure he was remembered at the national police memorial in Washington, D.C.,” Ms. Ferguson said Thursday after the ceremony here.
“Chief Sandel sent the papers to the proper officials, but they weren't moving on it, so I prodded them.”
Mr. Ferguson was added to the national memorial last week, and to the state memorial list in Richmond on Wednesday. “We just wanted to be sure that his sacrifice was recognized,” Chief Sandel said.
The ceremony in Covington was marked by dignity and reflection, beginning with a riderless horse led past the assemblage, with high, polished black boots reversed in the stirrups.
Kentucky Attorney General Ben Chandler, the keynote speaker, reminded those gathered that they must not only remember the fallen officers whose names appear on the memorial, but “remember what they did, and what peace officers continue to do for us every day. And we must also remember their families.”
Representatives of every Northern Kentucky police agency were present at the ceremony, including those from Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Mason, Nicholas, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson counties.
A 21-gun salute from the Covington Police Department was followed by taps played by Kenton County Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn, and a flyover by the two Hamilton County Sheriff's Department helicopters.
Art Academy moving to Over-the-Rhine
Academy has grown in past 25 years
Kids get bum steer on flag etiquette
Boy's AIDS a rare case caused by an assault
Here's a chance to be in pictures
Stadium MRI was disputed
Cornea cases may cost $800K
Head of Covington Schools steps down
Tight Maifest controls vowed
Cities defiant over annexation bill
City tries to revive its gun lawsuit
GED test overhauled, will be tougher
Hearing-impaired studentwins award for achievement
Tell us about Memorial Day activities
DeGeneres stands up just for laughs
Dramas dominate Fox lineup
Welder puts life back together
What makes Jane win?
GET TO IT
Pig Parade: Snork-oink-eel
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Bad beer boosts chemists' spirits
Batavia fire blamed on smoking, sleeping
Chiefs honor fallen peer
Deerfield divided on police
Festival salutes Underground Railroad
Fifth-graders study region
Foes in career argument
Jobs-for-grads concept touted
Kentucky primary a snoozer in these parts
Lockland, Hamilton get $500K
Man faces hearing in baby death
New bomb unit recruit is fearless, mechanical
Police across county win variety of honors
Students accuse OSU of racism
Tristate Digest
Two plead ignorance of tax law
Way cleared for complex to be built
