Law enforcement officers and patriotic people alike gathered outside the McDonald County Sheriff's Office last week to observe an official flag raising ceremony and a memorial dedication in honor of a local law enforcement officer.
During the past year, the MCSO and jail facility have been under construction due to a remodel and expansion and, as a result, the department's flagpole was taken down.
Sheriff Michael Hall grew impatient with the wait and decided to put the flags to the sky on Flag Day, June 14, despite small spurts of ongoing construction.
"I was trying to wait until all the construction was finished before raising them but wanted to get them back up and do the memorial," he said.
The new area features not one, but three separate flagpoles. At the base of the flagpoles sits a plaque, honoring the late retired deputy Mary Coble, often referred to as "Mother Mary."
Coble died in January of this year, after serving with the MCSO for 26 years.
"If you ever worked with Mary, you know how she got her nickname," said Hall. "Everyone learned something from her."
The plaque reads: "It is hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember." The plaque then features a scripture, Matthew 5:9: -- "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
As guests looked to the sky, the traditional American and Missouri flags were respectfully raised. Then, a new flag was added -- one that pays homage to the hard work, history and heroes that surround the McDonald County Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Bill Davenport said he designed the MCSO flags at his home, in his spare time. The design highlights the "thin blue line" that officers hold between calm and chaos. It also features an image of the department's badge and year of formation -- 1849. Upon seeing the design, Sheriff Hall took the initiative and had the flag printed. Davenport's design now greets those entering or exiting the department building.
Hall said this was the first flag raising ceremony he remembers the department holding, despite numerous flagpoles over the years.
Community on 06/21/2018