Boy Scout unveils police and firefighter monument
By Justin Hicks
Jackson Citizen Patriot
JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — More than 100 people stood in silence recently as 17-year-old Timothy Johnson read the names of Jackson-area police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1906.
After each name Johnson read, a family member or officer of the same division placed a carnation into a wreath in front of a newly displayed monument. Blue flowers were placed for police officers, red for firefighters.
Twenty-one carnations circled the wreath as Johnson’s two-year Eagle Scout project was unveiled at Blackman Park in downtown Jackson, according to the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
“I feel relieved and so grateful for all the help and support I received for this (project),” said Johnson, a Vandercook Lake High School senior. “The names are etched into the monuments like their jobs were etched into the lives of these simple, normal people.”
An elderly woman sitting in the front row stood up when firefighter Kenneth Harding’s name was announced, and placed a flower in the wreath for her fallen family member.
When approached afterward by a reporter, the woman smiled, her eyes filling with tears, and apologized for being unable to talk.
Of the more than 100 attendees, 18 were uniformed officers. Mayor Martin Griffin and state Sen. Mike Nofs were among the speakers who thanked Johnson for the dedication he put into the memorial.
The monument is made up of two marble and granite slabs with the names of the 21 deceased servicemen and women from Jackson who have died in the line of duty since 1906. Also on the front of the slabs are pictures of police and fire crews, each with a prayer dedicated to that service group.
Along the back of each monument are the names of the people and organizations who donated $500 or more to the project.
After the ceremony, Johnson was surrounded by community members thanking him for the project. As he hugged and shook hands, his father, Darrin Johnson, stood back and watched.
“The ceremony was very touching, very emotional and humbling to watch my son stand up there and see all his hard work come together,” Darrin said. “This kid has dedicated the last two years of his life to this project. We’re really proud.”
Matt Heins, director of police and fire services for the Jackson Police Department, worked with Johnson throughout the two years and witnessed how much effort he put into the project.
“It’s refreshing to see a young man working to get involved in his community and help out,” Heins said. “I think we are missing that at times today.”
Heins is aware of Johnson’s goal of becoming a firefighter and said Johnson “absolutely” has what it takes to join the ranks.
“This was no small task raising the $10,000 and creating the monument,” Heins said. “It was a monumental task, especially for someone his age. It spoke of his character, and he has the right stuff to be a firefighter.”
Johnson has attended firefighting classes at the Jackson Area Career Center for two years in addition to his classes at Vandercook Lake High School.
With the project complete, Johnson will have to stand before the Eagle Board and present his work in order to be considered for Eagle Scout status.
