On January 17, 1880, City of Dayton Patrolman Lee Lynam became the first local law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty, after a suspect he had previously arrested fatally shot him in a café on Third Street. Since then, 48 officers have joined Patrolman Lynam in making the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives while protecting and serving citizens in Montgomery County.
To honor these fallen heroes, The Montgomery County Law Enforcement Memorial Association launched a campaign to create a lasting memorial commemorating their bravery, dedication and service. With support from each of the 33 municipalities throughout the county, this project represents a long-held dream of active and retired law enforcement officers who understand the importance of remembering these selfless men and women by creating a place of reflection in their honor. It also will be a space where future generations can learn the true meaning of public service.
“Every day, law enforcement officers across our community risk their lives to protect and serve. Their commitment to safeguarding our safety often involves personal sacrifice, and tragically, some make the ultimate sacrifice,” said John Porter, chief of police for Butler Township Police Department. “This Memorial will serve as a testament to the community’s appreciation and will stand as a symbol of our collective respect, support and gratitude for the officers who protect us.”
Mounted officers salute a fallen colleague.
In addition to awarding the Memorial Association a $37,500 grant in 2024, The Dayton Foundation has provided counsel and advice throughout the campaign.
“We owe so much to The Dayton Foundation. The Memorial committee had been working for years, but it wasn’t until one of our most generous donors introduced us to Mike Parks and the Foundation that the campaign took flight,” Chief Porter said. “The Foundation offered helpful recommendations, allowed us to hold meetings at its facility and made connections for us, opening the doors that have given our dream the wings it needed to fly.”
“This memorial means a lot to us because it’s a lasting remembrance honoring the service and sacrifice Randy and the other officers have made to keep our communities safe.”
– Angela Osborne, a family member of Deputy Sheriff Randal K. Richter
Thanks to generous donors across the region, including several Dayton Foundation fund holders who made significant grants, the Memorial Association has raised approximately $1.5 million toward its $2 million goal. These donations, in addition to the Masons’ gift of a one-acre parcel of land next to the Dayton Masonic Center, helped work begin on the Memorial in 2024. The goal is to complete it later this year.
The Memorial Association is looking to the community to support future maintenance needs and has established a charitable fund that will be administered through The Dayton Foundation to ensure the Memorial’s sustainability. The goal is to raise $500,000, and the Committee welcomes gifts of all levels. These gifts will be particularly impactful now that the R.C. Appenzeller Family Fund of The Dayton Foundation has stepped forward to match every dollar with two more. For example, a $100 donation will generate an additional $200 – tripling the impact to a total of $300.
“We are proud to support the Memorial project for the officers who have been killed in the line of duty. It is fitting that this monument will be located at a prominent site near the Masonic Temple since several generations of Appenzellers have been Masons,” said Bob Appenzeller, Jr., advisor for The R.C. Appenzeller Family Fund. “We look forward to seeing the project completed and visible from I-75 in all its splendor, signifying the great loss Montgomery County has endured.”
No one feels this loss more than the fallen officers’ families, who now will have a place to visit and reflect on their loved ones’ heroic actions.
Deputy Sheriff Randal K. Richter
“This memorial means a lot to us because it’s a lasting remembrance honoring the service and sacrifice Randy and the other officers have made to keep our communities safe,” said Angela Osborne, a family member of Deputy Sheriff Randal K. Richter, a 23-year-old who was shot and killed in 1975 while investigating a suspicious vehicle in Harrison Township. “Law enforcement is a dangerous and difficult profession that we should never take for granted. Our hope is that people will see this monument and reflect on the sacrifice these officers made and develop a deeper respect for the job law enforcement officers do every day.”
To support this memorial, you can send a check to The Dayton Foundation, c/o the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Memorial Association Fund #9096, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409, or visit mcmemorial.com to donate online. You also can click Access Your Fund to donate directly from your Dayton Foundation donor-advised fund.