In the first step in the construction of a monument to the Perry Police Department, an eight-ton boulder was placed in front of the Perry Public Safety building Monday morning.
Dennis Allen of Herndon, owner of Dennis’ Rocks, and Steve Salzer of Perry teamed up with a front loader and skid loader to situate the big rock at the south end of the parking lot.
Carolyn McNeill of Perry, the Perry Crimestoppers member leading the campaign for the monument, was present to see the boulder placed.
“That’s one nice looking rock,” McNeil told Allen, who said he hauled the 16,000-pound specimen to Perry from Lohrville.
McNeil said a plaque will be attached to the rock, and figures of a police officer, child and dog are envisioned as part of the final design. Landscaping for the monument will include a tree and shrubbery. A U.S. flag will fly over all, she said.
McNeil estimated the cost of the police memorial will be $10,000 to $12,000, including the landscaping, planters and a small bench. The project still needs about $7,000, she said.
The Perry Crimestoppers have applied for a grant from the Bock Family Foundation. Perry Police Department Det. Laura Deaton, treasurer of the Perry Police Officers Association, is collecting and holding the funds in the association account.
The Crimestoppers meet at noon on the second Monday of each month at the Perry Police Department at 908 Willis Ave.
