The new fallen officers memorial was unveiled outside the Bluffton Town Hall on Saturday morning.
BLUFFTON — Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder opened the dedication ceremony for the Fallen Officers Memorial in Bluffton on Saturday by reading a familiar Bible passage. The verse from John 3:16 is a reminder of the sacrifice that comes from love and caring; a sacrifice that becomes the ultimate one for some; a sacrifice made by three Bluffton police officers in the past 96 years. Burkholder challenged those present “to remember [and] honor Owen Grandstaff, Frank Herrmann, and Dominic Francis because of their ultimate sacrifice to the Village of Bluffton and its community.”
The vision of the memorial
What began as a rough draft on the dining room table of Lt. Matt Oglesbee of the Bluffton Police Department became a reality over the past 18 months, as the Fallen Officers Memorial monument was unveiled in the village on Saturday. Following the death of Office Dominic Francis last year, Oglesbee said there initially was controversy about the best way to honor the fallen officers. Some community members wanted to paint a blue line on the street, but the police officers knew that type of memorial would be lost when street repairs occurred. Following a visit to the Fallen Officers Memorial Park in Washington, D.C. earlier this year, Oglesbee presented his draft of the monument to Chief Burkholder for consideration.
“To me, it’s important to recognize those who have made the ultimate sacrifice…that public display as a show of honor…where everyone sees it, is a way for people to never forget,” Oglesbee said.
While current Bluffton officers knew only the history of the deaths of Owen Grandstaff, who died in the line of duty on March 26, 1927 and Frank Herrmann, who died in the line of duty on Sept. 5, 1929, the death of Officer Dominic “Dom” Francis on March 31, 2022, was very personal for Oglesbee and the current Bluffton police officers. Oglesbee served with Francis from 2010 until Francis’ tragic death last year. Francis was respected by his fellow officers for not only his work on the police department but also for his involvement in the community. Oglesbee said he also personally misses his friend and fellow officer when a computer problem occurs in the department. He and Francis often worked together to solve internal IT issues and, Oglesbee admits, “Dom knew a lot more about computers than I do.”
The generosity of those in the Bluffton community enabled the Fallen Officers Memorial to become a reality without the use of taxpayer dollars. The total cost of the memorial project exceeded $10,000 and was fully funded by individuals and businesses in the community. Oglesbee expressed gratitude to Delphos Granite Works for assisting him with the final design and details of the monument. The black granite monument is 60 inches tall, 36 inches wide, eight inches thick and sits on a 10-inch base.
Lt. Oglesbee wanted to schedule the dedication ceremony on a Saturday, to enable more people to attend. As he looked for dates in the month of September, he noticed that Sept. 23 was on a Saturday. When he saw that date, he knew it was the perfect day for the ceremony. Officer Francis’ badge number was 23.
The dedication ceremony
Attendees of the memorial dedication ceremony included officers from the Ohio State Patrol, the Allen County Sheriff’s office, a ranger, and several members of the Bluffton Police Department. Also in attendance were Bluffton Mayor Richard Johnson, village council members, and State Representative Susan Manchester. Matthew Hart, a bagpiper from Toledo attended, in full regalia. The mournful sound of the bagpipes were heard as the monument was unveiled by members of the Bluffton Police Department.
During the ceremony, Mayor Johnson thanked attendees and gave recognition to Lt. Oglesbee for his commitment to making the memorial a reality. Mayor Johnson stated, “These men gave their lives. … Let’s hope and pray that we never have to add another name to this monument.”
State Representative Susan Manchester described the strength of Ohio communities, like Bluffton. She referenced the tragic loss of Officer Francis when she stated, “I saw the community of Bluffton come together…This country was founded on the principle of sacrifice and commitment.” At the conclusion of her remarks, she presented a commendation on behalf of the Ohio House of Representatives to the Bluffton Police Department.
Bluffton Police Sgt. Tyler Hochstetler read a proclamation from State Senators Matt Huffman and Robert McColley. The Ohio Senate 135th General Assembly proclamation praised the memorial as “a fitting tribute.”
In closing remarks, Oglesbee reminded those in attendance, “These officers were more than just badges and uniforms. They were parents, children, siblings, spouses, and friends. They were the embodiment of courage and selflessness…Each name on this memorial represents a unique and irreplaceable life. This [monument] is not just a piece of granite…it is a commitment to honor their memory.”
