Published: November 04, 2009 10:12 am      

Fallen officer remembered 21 years after his murder

NAPPANEE — More than 50 people attended a memorial program Tuesday afternoon to remember Nappanee Police Sgt. Brant “Butch” Nine, who was killed in the line of duty Nov. 3, 1988.

Nine was shot and killed as he responded to a call involving a suspect writing a bad check at a jewelry store. The suspect was also injured by a shot from a second officer, and the suspect recovered. He was convicted of the shooting and sentenced to a long prison term.

“It is right and appropriate,” said the Rev. Terry Tyler, police chaplain and pastor of the Nappanee Presbyterian Church, “for our community to remember what happened,”

Tyler said that God directs His people to erect monuments to remember important events and people.

Mayor Larry Thompson told those assembled in Lincoln Street between the police station and City Hall that he thinks about Nine every day. He noted the ultimate price paid by a public servant, pointing out that those in the police, fire and medical service face serious risks each day on the job.

The mayor went on to point out the many events held at Nappanee to help keep Nine’s memory alive, such as the annual golf outing.

Former fire chief and past County Councilman Don Abel said before the program he remembers the day of the shooting as if it were yesterday.

Police Chief Michael Anglin pledged to continue holding the annual memorial program in Nine’s memory and his honor. He also referred to the clemency petition of the man convicted of shooting Nine, and explained that many people turned out to speak at the hearing who did not even know Nine, but also had lost loved ones in police service.

Chief Anglin said Nappanee officials will continue to fight against the clemency of the convicted man.

“It’s never going to end,” Anglin said of the efforts of Nappanee supporters.