VIDEO: Heroes Memorial Dedicated at Courthouse

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Published on December 16 2015 2:57 pm
Last Updated on December 17 2015 1:43 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(BONNIE MELLENDORF AND ARNETIA OSBORN STAND BESIDE THE EFFINGHAM COUNTY HEROES MEMORIAL WITH MEMBERS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDING, LEFT TO RIGHT, PASTOR STEPHEN GILLETT, EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN, EFFINGHAM MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER, EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF DAVE MAHON, EFFINGHAM FIRE CHIEF JOE HOLOMY, AREA STATE POLICE COMMANDER CAPTAIN KELLY HODGE, AND DAVE PRICE WHO LED IN SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM)

A large crowd of law enforcement officers and emergency service providers, members of the public, and a large group of school children all turned out Wednesday for the dedication of the Effingham County Heroes Memorial.

The memorial was erected on the southeast corner of the lawn of the Effingham County Courthouse Museum. The monument was the brainchild of Bonnie Mellendorf. She is the daughter of Earl Bannick, who was with Effingham County Sheriff's Deputy Jerry Croft when Croft was shot and wounded by a suspect in the 1960s. Bonnie knew of work by the Sunrise Rotary Club to erect a memorial to fallen area State Police troopers. The monument would also be placed to remember those who serve past, present and future. No names are included, but all of the agencies that serve the public in emergencies are engraved on the memorial.

(A GROUP OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GATHERED FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL)

Bonnie Mellendorf began her efforts in the spring, eventually enlisting one of her sisters, Arnetia Osborn, to help with the project. The sisters approached local government agencies and emergency service providers and, little by little, the money was raised to complete the memorial.

(A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS FROM ST. ANTHONY GRADE SCHOOL WALKED DOWN TO THE CEREMONY)

Guest speakers included Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker, County Board Chairman Jim Niemann, Sheriff Dave Mahon, State Police Commander Kelly Hodge and Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy. Effingham City Administrator Jim Arndt served as emcee for the ceremony. Below is video from the ceremony.

Note: Video may not be fully uploaded until 6pm