Students raise $1K for Cops' memorial

Two classes of fourth graders at Fort Dale Academy managed to top all other donors in the area, as they presented a check to the Law Enforcement Memorial Fund Tuesday night.

Following the regular program of the FDA Parent Teacher Association, Greenville Police Chief Lonzo Ingram was presented a check totaling $1,000 to go toward the memorial planned for placement in Confederate Park in Greenville.

"This is the largest single donation we have received," said Chief Ingram. "This will put us over the halfway point toward building the monument."

During the program, Daniel Paul read a poem that caused many a dampened eye. Titled "Dedication of police officers, " it read as follows.

"Somebody killed a policeman today, and a part of America died. A piece of our country he swore to protect will be buried with him at his side.

"The suspect who shot him will stand up in court, with counsel demanding his rights, while a young widowed mother must work for her kids, and spend alone many long nights.

"The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too, just as if he'd gone off to war; though the flag of our nation won't fly at half-mast, to his name they will add a gold star.

"Yes somebody killed a policeman today, it happened in your town or mine. While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors, a cop put his life on the line!" Regina Parker, one of the two fourth grade teachers at Fort Dale Academy, said fund-raising is an annual event for the classes.

"Each year the fourth grade class raises money for a worthy cause," Parker said. "This year we decided to help our community raise money for the Police Officers' Memorial.

"This memorial will serve as a remembrance to fallen officers Gary Heath and Joseph Herring-and also a reminder to present officers, that there are no routine' traffic stops."

Chief Ingram presented Bobby Jean Cumbie and Regina Parker both with plaques of appreciation on behalf of the City of Greenville, for their efforts with the project.

"We certainly appreciate the effort these teachers and students have put forth in raising the funds for this memorial," Ingram said. "And regarding their musical presentation of patriotic songs, it was very inspiring and I feel they did a wonderful job."

The students involved in the project were, from Mrs. Parker's class: Allen Atwell, Zac Bell, Aaron Callen, Clair Davis, Elizabeth Dunklin, Rebecca Foster, Caleb Glass, Megan Giddens, Whitney Jacks, Kayla Lee, Holli Mathews, Jonathan McCann, Corey Middleton, Candice Nichols, Daniel Paul, Jordan Peavy and Tiffany Simms; from Mrs. Cumbie's class: Fuller Altiere, T.J. Bender, Adam Braden, Jennie Crenshaw, Caroline Dunklin, Davis Foshee, Kendall Gibson, Sanders Hancock, Ashley Joyner, Steven Lee, Chandler Luckie, Mac McCrary, Larry Pritchett, Casey Rogers, Rosemary Russell, Sarah Sims, Jeffrey Tesmer and Erin Wood.

The top four students from each class were presented with trophies for their efforts, and the overall winner was Candice Nichols, who collected $104.21.