Our Memorial Wall

In October of 2001, some members of The Washtenaw 100 gathered to discuss the topic of the number of duty deaths at the World Trade Center on 9/11. This led us to talking about the total number of duty deaths in Washtenaw County. However, no one seemed to know the numbers or the names of those who gave their lives to protect the lives of others in the county, so the journey began.

In 2002 a complete list of Washtenaw County police officers and firefighters who had lost their lives in the line of duty was secured. At that time the board discussed how to share the information on that list. After much discussion and the study of a number of ideas, the committee recommended building a Memorial Wall so the list of names could be publicly displayed.

The search for an acceptable site began in 2003 and in the spring of 2005, Adams Outdoor Advertising approached the committee with one of their properties at the corner of Michigan Ave. and Ballard St. in Ypsilanti. Later that year the Washtenaw 100 Memorial Wall became a reality at that location.

In Memorium

Firefighter Matthew A. Heininger • March 27, 1928

Firefighter William O’Leary • October 8, 1928

Officer Clifford Stang • March 21, 1935

Officer Kenneth Payne • June 4, 1946

Officer Leonard Alber • May 31, 1956

Firefighter Henry Clement • November 9, 1961

Officer Headley Downey • May 9, 1963

Captain Aaron Carson • January 11, 1966

Chief Russell Forsyth • May 11, 1966

Deputy Leo Borders • August 3, 1966

Deputy Jerry Russo • January 14, 1967

Deputy Frank “Butch” Crampton • January 15, 1970

Deputy Harold Ewald • December 8, 1970

Officer Douglas D. Downing • July 11, 1975

Firefighter Charles Uphaus • May 2, 1976

Officer Steven J. Reuther • February 4, 1991

Officer Tammy Sperle • February 5, 1996

Firefighter Amy Schnearle-Pennywitt • January 13, 2006

Captain Matt J. Tuttle • April 13, 2006

Chief Riley Scott Sumner • April 13, 2006