FOP Lodge #34 President Roseann Hickman led the Oct. 16 dedication of the Ottawa County Law Enforcement Memorial at Friendship Park. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Ten years ago, Roseann Hickman began working toward her dream to place in Port Clinton a memorial honoring Ottawa County law enforcement who have been killed in the line of duty. As president of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #34, she led the FOP’s efforts to bring a memorial to the city.

“This is a fundraiser she’s been working on for ten years,” said Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Nicole Kochensparger.

Since the project began, ALS has attacked Roseann’s body. It stole her voice, but it was unable to steal her spirit or her dream. On Oct. 16, Roseann sat before a large crowd at Friendship Park and dedicated the new Ottawa County Law Enforcement Memorial.

Retired Port Clinton Police Chief Rob Hickman cuts the ribbon on the new Ottawa County Law Enforcement Memorial on Oct. 16. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Although Roseann cannot speak, she can communicate through her phone, and she excitedly shared her thoughts on the day’s events.

“This was a long time coming,” Roseann said. “I’m honored that our members worked so hard to make this happen. It’s an honor to memorialize these fallen heroes.”

Rosann’s husband, retired Port Clinton Police Chief Rob Hickman, led the dedication ceremony in her stead. He talked about each of the five fallen heroes honored by the memorial. They are:

• Marshal Frank J. Robel, who served the village of Marblehead and was killed in the line of duty on November 27, 1925.
• Sgt. Robert B. Rigoni, who served with the Port Clinton Police Department and was killed in the line of duty on Friday, December 9, 1983.
• Deputy Bruce E. Mettler, who served with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and was killed in the line of duty on Friday, December 9, 1983.
• Dispatcher Michael J. Sweeney, who served with the Put-in-Bay Police Department and was killed in the line of duty on Friday, December 9, 1983.
• Officer William J. Hetrick, who served with the Clay Center police Department and was killed in the line of duty on July 10, 2000.

Each fallen hero was represented by family at the dedication, including Billy Rigoni, who was just a young boy when his father was killed.

“It’s really nice,” he said. “It’s nice that they did this. It’s a great gesture.”

Photos of Ottawa County’s fallen heroes were on display at the memorial dedication. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Michael Sweeney’s sister, Dottie Sweeney, said her brother’s death was difficult on her family.

“It was pretty tough on my mom and dad,” she said. “Dad worked for Miller Boat Line, so he went back and forth where Michael died every day.”

Michael had overcome much difficulty by the time he died. Health issues forced him to endure a leg amputation when he was 18.

“He fought back from that and got a prosthetic,” Dottie said. “He passed his GED, and we got it after he passed away. His goal was to become a physical therapist because he saw what they did for him in the hospital. He was a good kid. He was our baby.”

Dottie Sweeney stands next to the memorial that honors her brother and Ottawa County’s other fallen heroes. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Dottie is grateful for the memorial that brings recognition to her brother’s sacrifice.

“It means a lot. I live here. It’s nice to be able to share with people,” she said.

The memorial now stands solemnly at Friendship Park. It was raised ten years after Roseann first began working toward it and 100 years after Ottawa County’s first hero fell in 1925. Rob thanked the FOP for their dedication to Roseann’s dream.

“This would not have been possible without their hard work, persistence, and dedication,” he said.

The memorial also honors all law enforcement who keep the community safe, but the names of the five men who died in the line of duty are forever carved in stone.

“They’ll never be forgotten,” Rob said. “They made the ultimate sacrifice, and their names will be remembered.”