Never Forgotten

Intro The Jackson County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Victim Rights Unit held a rededication of the Victims of Violent Crime Memorial in Cascades Park on July 30. Despite the rain, the event drew a large crowd. The original memorial was built in 2005 and contains the names and photos of more than 90 victims from Jackson County. A 5-foot-8 wall was added in 2014 to afford room for more than 100 plaques. Five names and images were added to the memorial this year: Maxine Friend, Gregory Stack, Jason Brewer, Frances Craig and 18-month-old Brenden Hartranft. Victims1 Chris Boulter, deputy director of the Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety Department, and Doug Anderson, grandfather of a victim. Victims2 Jackson County Victims Rights Unit Coordinator Sue Vogt read out all the names on the memorial. Victims 3 Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka (right) and Larry Mentink, father of 1989 murder victim James Mentink and the driving force behind the creation of the memorial. Victims4: Judge Joseph Filip spoke to attendees. Victims6 Detective Joe Merritt from Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety Department shakes hands with a child. Victims7 Retired Prosecutor Cold Case Investigator Melvin Hartman and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski. Photos courtesy of Bob Vogt Published: Mon, Aug 08, 2016