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Wayne County to Honor Fallen First Responders at Memorial Ceremony

14 names to be added to the First Responders Memorial in Hines Park

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP - Wayne County will honor fallen police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel during a ceremony to be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 26 at the First Responders Memorial in Hines Park. The memorial is located at the corner of Hines Drive and Haggerty Road in Plymouth Township.

During the ceremony, the county will add 14 names of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony will be lead by Assad I. Turfe, chief of staff to Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans.

"The First Responders Memorial pays tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while placing the lives of others above their own," Executive Evans said. "The job of being a first responder is a commitment that I both honor and admire. It takes dedication, bravery and tenacity; especially during one of the most difficult years in history."

There will be a total of 14 names added to the memorial wall and retaining seat wall of fallen first responders: nine from 2020-2021, and five historical names. The memorial wall contains the names of 431 (including the 14 new names) fallen first responders. The memorial ceremony will include the presentation of colors, the National Anthem performed by Caleb Gutierrez, a rifle volley presented by the Detroit Police Department, and a Firefighters Bell Service presented by the Canton Fire Department. Family members of the fallen first responders, along with Wayne County officials, police and fire personnel will speak during the dedication of the memorial and participate in the wreath ceremony.

The names to be added to the memorial wall include:

Wayne County Sheriff's Office

Benny N. Napoleon

Bryant Searcy

Donafay Collins

Dean M. Savard

Detroit Police Department

Rasheen P. McClain

Waldis V. "Jay" Johnson

Jonathan D. Parnell

Detroit Fire Department


Sivad H. Johnson

Franklin D. Williams, Jr.

Historical Additions

Charles VanCollie City of Grosse Pointe Police Department

Benton J. Hacker Detroit Police Department

Eugene King Northville Police Department

Michael J. Tralka Detroit Police Department

Scott J. Larkins Detroit Police Department

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Wayne County Parks is a division of the Wayne County Department of Public Services with the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for families and citizens of the 43 communities of Wayne County. We maintain 5,600 acres of parkland and operate 41 locations, which include 37 parks, a golf course, a marina and the Wayne County Family Aquatic Center. Wayne County Parks holds hundreds of educational and recreational events all year long including field trips, nature walks, and host classic annual events such as the Marshmallow Drops at Nankin Mills and Elizabeth Park and Jazz on the River in Elizabeth Park. Wayne County is committed to offering the best park experiences for families to enjoy. For more information about Wayne County Parks, please call 734.261.1990 or visit www.waynecounty.com.