NORWICH – A group of Chenango County Sheriff's Office employees will be getting a little dirty this weekend with a little help from their friends, volunteering their time to construct a memorial garden to honor those who came before them.
Specifically, “We're working on creating a memorial garden to honor the service of all officers who died in the line of duty, while employed at the Sheriff’s Office, or have retired from the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sgt. Craig Hackett with the Corrections Division of CCSO.
According to Hackett, plans for the memorial garden has roots dating back more than ten years to when the Sheriff's Office was located in downtown Norwich on Court Street.
“We started this process when the jail was in City of Norwich,” said Hackett. “At that time we formed a committee and started the process with a design of a monument stone and placement; but then we received news that a new Public Safety Building was being built and decided to wait until we got there.”
While on the back burner, the idea was bounced abound for several years. Recently, the untimely death of a long-time supporter of the memorial accelerated efforts to get it done.
Retired Lieutenant Douglas C. Schult passed away on March 7 of 2015 following a courageous and extended battle with cancer.
“Never seeing his dream come true, we made it ours and wanted to see it done this year,” said Hackett.
According to Hackett, Lt. Schult dreamt of putting in a garden to give Officers a place to honor those who have passed before us. Said Hackett, “He picked a spot on the grounds of the new Public Safety Building,” and that where it will go.
To put the plans into motion, Hackett – alongside Tonya Shoales and Tracy Rotundo of Corrections – wrote several canvass letters to businesses in Chenango County seeking any assistance they could receive in an effort to bring the late Lt. Schult's dream into fruition.
“In late July we received a response from one business,” said Hackett. “Joe Stockdale is a store manager from Lowe’s in Norwich, and he called me and said that they reviewed our letter and project and want to help.”
Stockdale indicated that Lowe’s would be willing to provide everything that was on a the project's list and more if they had it in stock. “Joe also said that Lowe’s has a “Heroes” program to assist with projects like ours. Not only will Lowe’s provide the materials, but they also donated volunteers from Lowe’s to help build the project,” said Hackett.
During the process the aforementioned committee found that there were 16 Officers that met the criteria, all of which will be included in the memorial garden set to be constructed this weekend.
According to Hackett, there has only ever been one “Line of Duty” death in the history of the Chenango Sheriff's Office. Deputy Hiram James Moore's end of watch was shortly before 1 a.m. on April 8, 1948. The Chenango Union archives indicate that Deputy Moore was struck by a passing motorist while conducting a routine traffic stop on State Highway 7 approximately three miles north of the Village of Bainbridge.
Hackett also indicated that CCSO sponsors a motorcycle ride every year in Chenango County in memory of all Officers that have fallen either while in the line of duty, retired or while employed by a law enforcement agency in Chenango County.
“This year was our fifth year and Rapid Reproductions donated two signs that displayed the ride and Officers names– one sign was just north of the village of Oxford and a second placed at the event that was held at the Brackel Bar and Grill on State Route 23,” said Hackett. Hackett said that the funds raised from the memorial ride go to support college aged dependents of Sheriff's Office employees.
And plans for the 2016 memorial ride are already underway, to be held on July 9, 2016.
