Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Employees of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office working to erect a memorial to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty are aiming for a bronze statue which would sit outside the county courthouse in Chehalis.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Association in recent months has begun raising money for the project.

They are hoping to unveil the monument in August of 2012, according to sheriff’s Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.

The idea is to honor the men and women of Lewis County who have died in the line of duty, Brown said.

The committee likes the idea of a bronze statue, something that would be long-lasting, according to Brown.

Most recently, sheriff’s Deputy Stephen Mike Gallagher Jr. lost his life after his patrol car struck an elk on his way to a call in East Lewis County. Gallagher, 34, of Adna, died in August 2009.

A fundraising event is set for next week at the McDonalds restaurant on Northeast Kresky Avenue in Chehalis.

It’s called a “McTakeover” where sheriff’s office employees will work the counter, cook up burgers and fries and serve customers.

A portion of the profits will go toward the memorial.

The McTakeover is set for Thursday, May 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

•••

Officers to be memorialized are:

Deputy Mike Gallagher, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch: Aug. 18, 2009

Deputy Richard Snider, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch: Feb. 8, 1986

K-9 “Ward”, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch: Oct. 15, 1985

Deputy Ernest Runke, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch: Sept. 19, 1957

Deputy Seth “Riv” Jackson, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch: April 7, 1937

Deputized Civilian John M. Haney, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, end of watch: Nov. 15, 1919

Officer William H. Smith, Centralia Police Department, end of watch: Dec. 23, 1910

Marshal James C. A. Parsons, Centralia Police Department, end of watch: June 30, 1903

Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter

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