Reno County commissioners approve law enforcement memorial at courthouse

Steve Lutz, patrol captain with the Reno County Sheriff's Office and a member of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 18, asked the board for permission to build a law enforcement memorial on the southeast corner of the Reno County Courthouse lawn.

"The memorial would consist of an approximately 25 foot circular base or floor with 2 sidewalks," Lutz said, describing two sidewalks, a central flagpole and a granite or stone monument oriented toward the courthouse. He told commissioners that seed money from deputies and donations would start the project and that all construction funds are expected to be privately raised.

Lutz also said maintenance staff had consulted the Kansas Historical Society to confirm whether a monument could be sited on courthouse grounds. Commissioners asked about the project timeline and funding; Lutz said no firm construction schedule has been set because the first step is board approval and subsequent fundraising and design work.

A commissioner moved to approve the memorial as presented, another commissioner seconded, and the board approved the request by roll call vote, 4-0, with one commissioner absent. The board recorded no use of county construction funds for the memorial; staff will return with any required permitting or placement details as fundraising and design work proceed.

The approval directs staff and proponents to continue planning and to return to the board with final designs, any required third-party approvals and a suggested timeline for construction.