Memorial wall to honor deputy John Bernard
Sheriff Tom Jones during closing remarks in a ceremony dedicating a memorial wall to deputy John Bernard on Monday afternoon.
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office unveiled an artist’s
rendering of a memorial wall honoring the life of fallen deputy
John Bernard.
The event was attended by more than 80 people on Monday
afternoon.
Bernard died a year ago, on Jan. 3, 2010, when his patrol car
crashed at the intersection of state Route 283 and County Road 5,
south of Ephrata, according to past Columbia Basin Herald
articles.
He
hit the edge of SR 282 and rolled his car while he was on duty.
It
was later determined by a Washington State Patrol investigative
unit that Bernard crashed due to excessive speed while approaching
the turn.
The ceremony was attended by Bernard’s family, his widow Tami and
two sons, Brandon and Jeff.
Brandon Bernard is a Grant County deputy.
The family was asked to cut black fabric covering the rendering as
John Bernard’s former shift, the Bravo Crew, stood nearby.
A
year after Bernard’s death, the loss of the deputy still affects
the people in attendance. Many were holding back tears as chaplain
John Roberts opened the ceremony with a prayer.
“We want to honor those who served us and remember those who have
fallen. Through our words and things we do, we want to honor John
and others,” said Roberts.
Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo urged attendees to remember Bernard by
taking a little bit more time getting to know those around
them.
“I’ve learned so much about John in the last 12 months. That’s sad
because I wish I knew him before then. I asked that you learn more
about your neighbors, friends and co-workers in honor of John,”
said Ponozzo.
The wall, called “Fallen Officer Memorial,” will be placed near the
front door of the sheriff’s office, said Grant County Sheriff Tom
Jones.
The office plans to have the wall erected by summer, he said.
“We thought it was appropriate to honor John in this way,” said
Jones.
The wall will be four feet wide by six feet tall, according to
artist Brian West of Soap Lake.
“The wall will be made out of granite, with cast bronze plates
attached,” he said.
The first plaque features a picture of Bernard, thanking him for 30
years of law enforcement service. The second plaque shows a picture
of his son, Brandon Bernard talking to a child. The second plaque’s
message thanks all law enforcement who have serviced and protected
the community.
“I
hope the wall will be able to tell a story; tell people what being
a (deputy) is all about,” said West, who will be working on the
wall with another artist, James Protzeller.
The memorial wall is paid through citizen contributions.
The majority of the wall is left empty, and Jones hopes it will
remain empty.
“We are still affected by John’s death. You don’t forget about a
guy like John. We hope that there will never be other names on the
wall,” said Jones.
Grant County Commissioner Carolann Swartz read a proclamation
retiring GT-46, Bernard’s deputy number.
Bernard’s death is the first on-duty death in the sheriff’s
office’s 100-year history, according to Jones.
Long time friend Earl Romig said Bernard would be humbled by the
memorial wall.
“John was a humble servant; he would be so humbled to have this
memorial in his name. It is a great way to make a lasting
impression,” said Romig, who knew Bernard through his time spent as
a reserve deputy for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Quincy police and Washington State Patrol also attended the
ceremony.