Fallen officer Charles W. Futcher Sr. recognized by Lewes
Seventy-five years after his death, Lewes policeman Charles W. Futcher Sr. finally received recognition for making the ultimate sacrifice for his community.
Futcher was the first and only police officer ever killed in the line of duty in Lewes. Also a Sussex County constable, his death on Aug. 13, 1939, from injuries he sustained in a car crash while pursuing a fugitive on Savannah Road, was also a first for the state's southernmost county.
Futcher was honored with a plaque in Zwaanendael Park Sept. 15 in a ceremony attended by state and local legislators, members of the Futcher family and many Cape Region police officers.
Futcher was 38 at the time of his death, leaving behind a wife and two children. In the years since his death, his family has grown to nine grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Futcher's granddaughter, June Rose, was instrumental in getting her grandfather recognized and ensuring his legacy was not forgotten. She chose Zwaanendael Park because of its historic value and pastoral setting.
“We're absolutely thrilled that's the location because of the recognition of this as a historical loss connected to the historic value of Zwaanendael Park,” she said.
She said the setting will offer more contemplation and reflection of her grandfather's service and sacrifice.
June Rose's brother Bob Futcher, the eldest of Futcher's grandchildren, and his wife Ann traveled from New Jersey to attend the tribute. Bob said he was very appreciative of the support everyone provided in honoring his grandfather.
“It was really nice that Lewes paid homage to someone who served them and gave them his all,” he said.
June Rose has been working for years to see her grandfather's recognition through to completion, beginning with Futcher's inclusion on the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial in 2010. Futcher was then added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2011, and he also honored by Sussex County the same year.
The memorial plaque in Zwaanendael Park was just another deserved honor, she said. With the help of Sgt. Sherrie Harmon of the Lewes Police Department and Lt. Frederick Calhoun with the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police, she was able to acquire the plaque at no cost to the Futcher family. Then the City of Lewes donated time and man power to place the plaque in the park about 10 feet off Savannah Road, the street where the Futcher family lived.
Futcher was remembered as a popular member of the Lewes community. Through research, June Rose said, she learned he was known to drive the local baseball teams to tournaments around Sussex and Kent counties. She has not been able to find his inspiration for joining the police force, but has learned through newspaper clippings that he was an excellent marksman, frequently winning prizes at turkey shoots in the fall.
In an article from Delaware Coast News, dated Aug. 18, 1939, Futcher was reported to have died from a heart attack about a week after his accident. Futcher's death “shocked the community” and many believed his untimely death was caused by the car accident, the article says.
House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, a 25-year verteran of the Delaware State Police, attended the ceremony with fellow House members Steve Smyk (a former state policeman), Ruth Briggs King and Harvey Kenton. In Schwartzkopf's time as captain, he said, he never had to knock on a loved one's door to deliver the news of a trooper's death. Ceremonies like Futcher's, he said, remind everyone of the risk police officers take each day.
“We do these services periodically to remind everyone that you can't take anything for granted,” he said. “Every day is a holiday for some people, but it's unknown for these guys in uniform.”
He said it was better late than never to honor Futcher.
“It may have taken 75 years to fully recognize CW for what he did for his city, and to finally bring him home,” he said. “We may be a little late in doing it, but [he's] never forgotten.”
Sen. Ernie Lopez stressed the importance of recognizing Futcher for his service and keeping history alive with the plaque.
“Whether this happened 7 years ago or 75, the importance of it still matters today because in 7 years or 70 years someone is going to walk down this path and take a moment to read this plaque,” he said.
While fortunately no other Lewes police officers have been killed since, Mayor Ted Becker said, it takes courage for the city's police officer to go to work each day.
“The installation of this marker today will provide that additional piece of recognition and will serve as a reminder to all that even in a community as beautiful and tranquil as Lewes, our officers place themselves at risk every day as they work to ensure we are able to enjoy our freedom,” he said.
While working to get her grandfather recognized, June Rose was introduced to the Concerns of Police Survivors organization, which provides support to the family members of fall police officers. And while June Rose and her siblings never met their grandfather, COPS embraced the family and considers them survivors.
“I know it had to be hard, but I also believe they got through the hard times because people helped each other during those hard years,” said Eleanor Allione, a member of the Delaware Chapter of COPS who lost her daughter in the line of duty. “Families stuck together and they kept their faith.”
Through the COPS organization, June Rose met Susan Shea, who lost her husband, a corporal with the Delaware State Police, in 2004. Shea, vice president of COPS, was invited to speak at Futcher's dedication ceremony.
“No matter how many years have passed, an unexpected moment of reflection with tears is OK,” she said. “I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and loss my children feel from losing their father.”
For June Rose, honoring her grandfather will continue to move forward. She hopes to participate in a book highlighting the lives of fallen Delaware police officers. She also has a goal of riding in Futcher's honor in the Police Unity Tour in 2015.
