Crime & Safety

Plymouth Township Memorial Will Pay Tribute to Fallen Police Officers, Other Local First Responders

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony in Hines Park.

Come this September, Plymouth Township will be home to a newly completed First Responders Memorial for Wayne County police, fire and EMS agencies at the corner of Hines Drive and Haggerty Road. 

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said the memorial will be a tribute publicly to those who risk their lives day in and day out.

"Many times it's so difficult to express the loss of someone who is a first responder," he said. "I think, like anything else, unfortunately for a couple of days, people sort of pay attention and then it fades from memory, which is really unfortunate. But the families carry on with it. It's like anything else, you never really leaves your heart. And if you have lost someone who is a first responder in the line of duty, you probably think of that person everyday."

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The First Responders Memorial will include a granite wall containing the names of fallen first responders, concrete walkways, a paver plaza, site furnishings, lighting and parking. 

Ficano said they are currently gathering names and verifying them with the different departments. Currently, there are about 400 that will be added to the granite wall. 

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During his speech, Ficano talked about the first responders roles in 9/11, how when everyone was running down the stairs, they were running up. 

"That's really part of what this memorial is all about," he said. "It's to remember, when there is tragedy or there is a situation where people are at risk, it's the first responders who are in essence going against the wave or going against the grain to make sure that there are lives saved and that they can make a difference in helping people."

The memorial will honor, among other fallen Wayne County first responders, Canton Police Officer Gordon Lewis "Lew" Stevens, who was killed while on-duty in an auto accident on July 23, 2003 as well as Westland-Wayne Firefighter Brian Woehlke, the 29-year-old who died from injuries sustained while fighting a strip mall fire on May 8.

"It's an honor, especially to be in our community here," said Lt. Dan Atkins with the Plymouth Community Fire Department. "It's an honor for us because it is here and people can come and see the members of Wayne County and this area that have made the ultimate sacrafice. Hopefully, a lot of names won't go on that wall."

The memorial, estimated to cost about $300,000 according to Ficano, is being funded through the Wayne County Parks millage. 

Ficano said Hines Park was chosen because he wanted people to enjoy it, not just walk by. The location in Plymouth Township is one of the few areas of the park that doesn't flood, he said.

Maintenance will be funded through an annual half marathon and 5K run, produced by Running Fit. The first Heroes on Hines Half Marathon and 5K Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 5. The run will begin on the western end of Hines Park and finish at the new memorial. 

To register for the races, visit www.heroesonhines.com


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