More Hearne honors to come
The Polk County Commission’s Public Safety Committee is working on several efforts as part of their way of honoring the legacy left behind by Polk County Police Det. Kristen Hearne, who was killed in the line of duty in late September 2017.
Plans are in the works following discussion by officers in the Polk County Police and the agreement of the committee in past weeks to move forward on a name change for the area around the Police Department headquarters, the jail and other local and state facilities.
That area at the intersection of the Highway 27 bypass and Highway 278 is currently called the Polk County Public Safety Complex, but in months to come will get a new name.
It will become the Det. Kristen Hearne Public Safety Complex instead.
Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd told the committee he is already seeking out help from local contractors and business owners who deal in signage to see how much the name change will cost.
He received a low bid from Fish Creek Graphics of $2,235 for the cost of replacing the top half of the sign and keep the bottom, but when bidders came out to look at the sign they notice some issues that will also require repair before the signage can be updated.
That will require some repair to the brickwork and covering with stucco before the contractors can move forward, work that Dodd said he was also seeking help to complete for low cost if possible.
Dodd also sought permission and financial help from the committee — and is asking for donations from the community as well — to take part in a May ceremony honoring Hearne and other officers killed in the line of duty during the past year at Washington D.C.’s Law Enforcement Memorial.
He told the committee a member of the community has already agreed to pay for airfare for himself, Officer David Goodrich, Assistant Chief Kiki Evans and Capt. Michael McGee. The costs of food and hotel accommodations were his main concern for the trip at the moment.
Committee members and County Finance Director Muriel Dulaney all agreed that donations for the trip can be made by the community without any issue, and that a national organization has already booked a suite of hotel rooms for the occasion at several Washington-area hotels that will provide officers attending a discounted rate.
Those interested in making a donation for the trip can do so by calling the police department at 770-748-7331 to learn more about helping.
In the meantime, many more honors are being undertaken in the six months following Det. Hearne’s death in the line of duty. A memorial fund for her son Isaac was established not long after her death and continues to grow, and two different scholarships are being established as well.
One of those was recently announced by the Exchange Club of Cedartown, who will give out scholarships to both a Cedartown and Rockmart High School student who wishes to pursue a career in law enforcement in Hearne’s honor.
Additionally, her brother Patrick Snead has organized an event for the Det. Kristen Snead Hearne Memorial Foundation.
That is coming up on March 24 in Summerville and features two different events during the day.
It begins with the Back the Badge festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Summerville Civic Center on Highway 48.
The festival is free and open to the public, and will feature a variety of vendors from the tri-state area. Vendors will also be providing items to be placed in a silent auction. A DJ and Ka- raoke will also be available during the event.
Later in the evening, festival-goers can then head over to the Back the Badge Benefit Concert from 6 to 9 p.m. at New Generation Church of God at 11 Kirby St., Summerville.
The concert will feature Summerville’s Just One Band, Heartfelt Ministry of Rome, Kate Watson of Angleton, Texas, and local artists Amber Maxey, Charlie Long, and Shelia Minard.
Donations at the door are being sought as admission to the concert, followed by a love offering for the groups performing during the show.
All funds raised from these events will be used to help fund the foundation’s programs and activities.
Members of the community who wish to volunteer in any aspect at these events are asked to visit the foundation’s website at www.dkshmf.org and fill out the “Get Involved” page. Questions and comments can be directed to the foundation by email to info@dkshmf.org.
Additionally, donations made ahead of the events can be completed by visiting the foundation’s website, or by visiting a SunTrust Bank location and asking to make a donation deposit into the Det. Kristen Snead Hearne Memorial Foundation account.