Guests and family members place roses in the Memorial Garden during the Employee Memorial Dedication Ceremony, dedicated to the memory of those that have served the City of Conroe. Photo by David Hopper
An area littered with cigarette butts and weeds was transformed in a flower-filled memorial garden for city employees who died while working for the community.
“The soul of the city lives in its citizens,” said Conroe Mayor Webb Melder.”The heartbeat of the city and the city organization is its employees. This dedication is in honor of those who served the city and passed away while working her.”
Conroe Police Officer Tommy Hardage's widow, Tammi, and son, Dylin, place a rose in his honor in the Memorial Garden. Photo by David Hopper
During an emotional ceremony, which included family members of some of the deceased workers, the names of 14 city employees were read by their department heads. Each family or department head was given a red rose, which was later added to the flowers in the garden outside City Hall. On the street outside, a fire truck, a police car and a police motorcycle unit stood guard in particular honor of beloved police officers and fire officials who has passed away.
“We are very proud to have this tradition,” said City Administrator Jerry McGuire.
Mayor Webb Melder shows the City's Memorial Garden to guests during the Employee Memorial Dedication Ceremony. Photo by David HopperThe Employee Memorial Garden and Wall was built by several city department, and includes a garden, a water wall and a large plaque honoring fallen employees on the north side of Conroe City Hall. The large display include bronze plaques for each deceased city work, including their department, when their joined the city and when they died. The display includes room for many more recognition, of either employees who passed away while working for the city back to the 1970s or those who will pass on in future years.
“If the rest of this space stays blank, it wouldn’t bother me,” Melder said.
Conroe Fire Department Lieutenant Will Wilkinson's son, Matt, and widow, Audrey, place a rose in his honor at the Memorial Garden during the Employee Memorial Dedication Ceremony, dedicated to the memory of those that have served the City of Conroe. Photo by David HopperThe idea for the memorial garden was hatched after 2008, when the city lost nine workers, including many key employees. Two police officers were killed in separate off-duty motorcycle accidents, and long-time Deputy Fire Chief Will Wilkinson lost a two-year battle with cancer. Public works was particularly hard hit with the loss of three employees.
The wall also include Ed Holcomb, Jr the only Conroe police officer ever to be lost in the line of duty. The wall was conceived to honor city workers and to help beauty a sore spot in the city’s landscape.
In Memoriam
On Thursday, the Conroe City Council dedicated a Employee Memorial Garden and Wall to honor city employees who died while working for the community. Following is a list of those included on the wall, which is expected to span the 1970 and into the future..
Employee, Department, Date of Employment-Date of Death
Danny Acreman, Public Works, 2/13/04-12/19/08
Julianna Adams, Public Works, 8/11/97-03/14/09
Feldon “Joe” Cranfill, Police Department, 10/29/04-1/10/08
Ronald Green, Public Works, 11/20/92-10/12/08
Gary Hardage, Jr., Police Department, 05/21/93-8/11/08
Jack Hickmon, Utility Billing, 04/15/51-07/01/80
Ed Holcomb Jr., Police Department, 10/16/76-09/14/82
James Johnson, Administration, 03/13/00-02/03/05
Billy Miller, Fire Department, 05/21/79-11/24/93
John “David” Reynolds, Public Works, 10/28/96-12/24/08
Lamar Schautz, Parks, 03/20/95-08/24/96
Robert “Smitty” Smith, Police Department, 02/07/97-05/14/02
Billy Tatum Jr., Fleet Services, 06/11/84-09/30/08
William Wilkinson, Fire Department, 02/10/92-09/09/08
Source: City of Conroe