Jason B.

Saturday, May 20, 2000

Jason B. Meyer won’t be forgotten.

Neither will Chris Johnson and Joseph Herzog.

Their names appear on the wall over-looking the Austin/Mower County Protector Memorial outside the city-county law enforcement center.

The memorial was dedicated at ceremonies Friday afternoon.

Paul Philipp, Austin’s chief of police, joined Mower County Sheriff Barry J. Simonson, Grand Meadow Police Chief Jim Richardson and Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz in reminded the audience of the memorial’s importance.

Philipp said he was a third-generation police officer in his family and when his son, Jason, completes his education and training, there will be a fourth generation. "You can tell it’s important to me," he said.

"We need to be reminded on a daily basis of the sacrifices made by police officers," Philipp said.

While every police officer takes an oath to protect and serve everyone, "Unfortunately, sometimes that means to give your life," he added.

County Sheriff Simonson, who worked with Philipp since 1996 on the memorial project, said the public should know the "impact these people have on other people’s lives just by doing their job."

Simonson said that three names on the wall were three names too many and also enough. "I pray we will never have to add another name to that list," he said.

Grand Meadow’s police chief hired part-time officer Jason B. Meyer and became both friend and mentor to the officer before his death in a traffic accident in September 1999.

Instead of eyes filled with tears, Richardson said the eyes of the audience should be "filled with pride."

He called fallen officer Meyer an "inspiring police officer."

Mayor Bonnie Rietz echoed the words of the speakers about the sacrifices all peace officers make in protecting and service the public.

A special law enforcement memorial prayer asked, in part, "Lord give us courage to carry on, to still live and care, to not be vengeful or bitter, to simply trust your word is true. May we always cover with pride the shield we wear, to honor all fallen officers, who we now commend to you."

The ceremonies concluded National Police Week that included special ceremonies at the state law enforcement memorial in St. Paul on Monday and in Washington, D.C.

Johnson was a Lyle Town Marshall, who was killed in the line of duty.

Herzog was an Austin Police Department officer, also killed in the line of duty.

Surviving loved ones of Herzog and Meyer were special guests at the ceremonies.

Austin Patrolman James Lamecker, deputy commander, put an Honor Guard of officers through their paces to conclude the ceremonies.

The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association unit included officers from Shakopee, Mankato, Marshal, Bloomington, Eagan (2), Fairmont, Olmsted County and the Austin Police Department’s Lamecker.

Kevin Torgerson of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department played "Taps" have the Honor Guard fired a three-shot volley to salute fallen officers.

More donations needed

Also Friday afternoon, there was an open house and tour of the city-county law enforcement center.

The names of significant donors will appear on a plaque that will be displayed on a wall overlooking the bronze sculpture called "The Protector," which depicts two peace officers assisting a small child.

Total cost of the law enforcement memorial is $29,000 and organizers are still $1,000 short of that goal.

Anyone interested in assisting the project may call the LEC for more information at (507) 437-9400.