Recently, it came to light that the name of Empire City Marshal Marion Thomas, along with his service and sacrifice to the community, was missing from the etched marble walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. The omission was brought to the attention of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office according to Chief Deputy Nate Jones. Jones says with support from the Community Outreach Deputy and the Cherokee County Genealogical Society, they have spent the last few weeks collecting historical records. These documents included newspaper articles, and court documents from the era, detailing the events surrounding Marshal Thomas’s death. According to those historical records, on the afternoon of February 5, 1900, City Marshal Thomas responded to a saloon incident near Columbia and Main Street in what is now the City of Galena. Shots had been fired within the establishment, and when Marshal Thomas attempted to disarm the shooter, he was shot multiple times and died almost immediately. Marshal Thomas left behind his wife, Ollie Hopkins, and their three children. “Regardless of whether this lawman gave his life 124 years ago or today, his service and sacrifice are worthy of being memorialized at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, which is why following the research, an official application was made to have his name included and his selflessness honored,” said Chief Deputy Jones.
Source: KSNF/KODE

First responders in Kansas kicked off a day of training as a part of this month’s “Crawford County Fire School.” “Oh, it was just a reminder that instead of just doing, I got to slow down and coach him along,” said Ron Ewing, son and father fire school duo. Out of 45 firefighters, Kaiden and Ron Ewing are the father and son duo who chose to go through this month’s Crawford County Fire School together. “I was proud, you know, but humble also that he’s ever since he was little, he’s been coming around to the fire schools and stuff,” said Ron Ewing. Since he was little, Kaiden got to watch his father as firefighter of 20 years go through his own training. But before he goes off to college to play baseball, he’s turning his dream into a reality. “We’re making memories before I leave and great memories and dream. I’ve always had to run through a trailer with him or just a fire and get trained by him, especially for all he knows,” said Kaiden Ewing. Across Kansas, trainings are held each month, with this one being in Girard. Firefighters learned about extrication from vehicle wrecks, hose handling, and even a live fire demonstration. “We’re putting crews inside a burn trailer that’s got class-A fuels in it so they can simulate feel the heat coming down on them, being able to put water on a fire and make it go out as best they can,” said Steve Hirsch, Kansas State Firefighters Association treasurer. Making an eight-hour drive to this training, he says having the training is crucial. “When they’re called to duty there. It’s got to be a hard job. And so this is where they learn those skills that they can apply to help protect their neighbors,” said Hirsch. A job that without training wouldn’t get done properly and why Ron says he couldn’t be more honored for his son to follow in his footsteps. “A lot of communities depend on volunteer service recruitment, retention and getting them at a young age to start is where you gotta be,” said Ron Ewin.
Source: KSNF/KODE