Allen County, Indiana Genealogy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064419740187. See Police Memorial Garden

1001 North Wells Street - Street View photo from 1006 Ewing Street from Google Maps.

The limestone lintel once located above the engraved “Rudisill School” block was salvaged and used for the top of the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County with two photos posted September 16, 2016 on Rudisill Elementary School on Facebook.
The lintel was salvaged from the old Rudisill School shown in a January 28, 2024 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.

Dedication of police-fire memorial fulfills ‘dream’ Archie Ingersoll, October 30, 2011, on The Journal Gazette newspaper now archived on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.

The memorial stone at the Indiana State Police’s Fort Wayne post displays the names of 48 state police employees who have died in the line of duty since 1933. Master Trooper James Bailey’s name was added Wednesday. State police host annual memorial for fallen officers Devan Filchak May 18, 2023 The Journal Gazette newspaper.

 

In Memoriam photos and information on Indiana State Police officers who died in the line of duty.

February 16, 2012 post by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Facebook:

A view from "the eye in the sky"

May 10, 2019 post by the Fort Wayne Police Department on Facebook:

Today we honor the Officers and their families of those that have made the supreme sacrifice and fallen in the line of duty while serving our community. Our thoughts and thanks are always with these families that have given so much. Please remember them and all of our officers in your prayers.

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Police and Fire Memorial is at 1001 North Wells Street which also has a Facebook page: Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County.

The memorial honored 14 law enforcement officers who died while serving Allen County since 1904:

1. Marshal Columbus L. Croy, Woodburn Police Department, June 7, 1907
2. Officer Matthew Gebhardt, Fort Wayne Police Department, March 10, 1926
3. Officer Edward Schafenacker, Fort Wayne Police Department, Dec. 8, 1950
4. Officer Kenneth Stiverson, Fort Wayne Police Department, July 17, 1969
5. Officer Omega Graham, Fort Wayne Police Department, Dec. 10, 1987
6. Sgt. Kenneth W. Hayden, Fort Wayne Police Department, Sept. 12, 1989
7. Officer Donald Knepple, Allen County Adult Probation Department, April 28, 1997
8. Officer Eryk Heck, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Aug. 15, 1997
9. Officer Daniel Edenfield, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, May 16, 1998
10. Trooper Cory Elson, Indiana State Police, April 3, 1999
11. Officer Bradley Matteson, Fort Wayne Police Department, Oct. 5, 2000
12. Sgt. Joseph A. Cox Jr., Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Feb. 12, 2017
13. Officer David A. Tinsley, Fort Wayne Police Department, Sept. 11, 2018
14. Master Trooper James R. Bailey, Indiana State Police, March 3, 2023

Copied from Families, agencies honor officers who have died in line of duty Corryn Brock May 12, 2023 The Journal Gazette newspaper.

Fort Wayne Police Department officers killed in the line of duty posted on the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Patrolman Kenneth P. Stiverson, age 36, was killed by gunfire July 17, 1969. His photo and information is posted on the Supporting Heroes website.

May 14, 2013 post by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Facebook:

Police Memorial 2013 Photos by John McGauley

May 12, 2023 post by the Fort Wayne Police Department on Facebook:

Police Memorial 2023

September 28, 2023 post by Jerry Vandeveer on Facebook:

AND LET THE LIGHT SHINE BRIGHT! ❤💙�

Four gentlemen from Heavy Duty Construction LLC of Ohio stopped at the Memorial to repair the lights which have not been working for over 6 months. When we were ready to pay them, Matt Purdy said "No Charge". Two of the men were retired Police Officers, one from FWPD and one from Ohio, a Firefighter and one other gentleman. Their names were Douglas Ambrose, Hunter, Holden and Matt Purdy.

They said it was an honor to do this for those whom have given so much. They will be back to convert the 16 Bollard Lights to LEDs. However, this time we will pay them. 🙂

THANK YOU, BROTHERS! ❤ 💙

The man who got this place started. He will be missed.

Posted by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Friday, February 23, 2024

February 23, 2024 post by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Facebook:

The man who got this place started. He will be missed.

Shared the Jerry Vandeveer is with Meg Vandeveer post February 23, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of my father's passing today. As many of you know, my dad was not just a father but a beacon of strength and dedication in our community. He was a celebrated activist, deeply involved with Law Enforcement Agencies in Allen County and a staunch supporter of our Local Firefighters. His awards and acknowledgments barely scratch the surface of the impact he had on those around him.

To those fortunate enough to truly know him, his passionate nature was unmistakable. He possessed a boundless capacity for caring, an unwavering love for everyone, and an honest, open heart that never hesitated to express his true thoughts. Regardless of whether you were a long-time friend or a new acquaintance. He always stood firm in his convictions, never faltering in his beliefs. This doesn't mean he was infallible; rather, his courage to stand up for his beliefs was matched by his readiness to admit his mistakes when he recognized them.

My father's generosity came from his humility. He did not give from a place of abundance, for his pockets were never deeper than his concerns. Instead, he found ways to make the impossible happen, turning what many would call "hair-brained ideas" into reality and ultimately successes. His loyalty was earned but once you had it, he would always have your back. He loved protecting and supporting those who were in need. He stood by his friends and their dreams with conviction.

So, Dad, I thank you for the strength you've instilled in me, for the lessons I didn't know I was learning, for being a good man and father. I love you and always will. And to Mom, up there with you, know that you are dearly missed, and there are two new members for the Fancy Ladies Hat Club!

AT PEACE WITH PRIDE!

PROUD TO BE…FOP!!

Memorial 2024

Posted by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Friday, May 10, 2024

Friday, May 10, 2024 video post by the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Facebook:

Memorial 2024

Law Enforcement Memorial 2024

Posted by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Friday, May 10, 2024

Friday, May 10, 2024 post by the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Facebook:

Law Enforcement Memorial 2024

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝟐𝟏𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 💙🖤 Today, we gathered to honor the fallen officers during the 21st...

Posted by Allen County Sheriff's Department on Friday, May 10, 2024

Friday, May 10, 2024 post by the Allen County Sheriff's Department on Facebook:

The 21st Annual Police Office Memorial Ceremony

Today, we gathered to honor the fallen officers during the 21st Annual Police Officer Memorial Ceremony. Although we felt the void of Mr. Jerry Vandeveer, who made it his life's mission was to honor public safety and made this memorial possible, we felt him smiling down proud today.

May we always remember the dedication and ultimate sacrifice given by the fallen officers and honor them daily. 

2024 Firefighter Memorisl in the books. New name added this year, Bernard “Bernie” Noll. Southwest Allen County Fire District.

Posted by Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Saturday, October 5, 2024

Saturday, October 5, 2024 post by the Law Enforcement/Firefighters Memorial of Allen County on Facebook:

2024 Firefighter Memorial in the books. New name added this year, Bernard “Bernie” Noll. Southwest Allen County Fire District.

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