Corrections officer proposes Fayette County prison honor guard
The Fayette County Prison Board has given its verbal approval for prison personnel to implement an honor guard.
Prison Corrections Officer Mike Hicks requested consideration of the group that he hoped would strengthen the relationship between the fellow officers.
“It promotes camaraderie among the officers and other law enforcement agencies,” he said in his presentation.
“I have several officers willing to participate.”
Hicks said that his efforts over the past several years to coordinate the honor guard has been unsuccessful and tied the failed attempts to a lack of support from prison administrators.
Hicks said that during an earlier attempt to organize the group, gathered uniforms were shredded by an unknown person, putting the program on hold.
“That’s why I’m here at the prison board meeting,” he said.
“Perhaps having the higher administration’s support will persuade the prison administration to do the same.”
Attired in a potential honor guard uniform similar to one worn by the military for formal occasions at the prison board meeting last week, Hicks said that he assembled it from past guard uniforms, recent purchases, and assistance from his son, an officer with the state Department of Corrections.
“It looks good,” said county Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky, who along with commissioners Al Ambrosini and Angela M. Zimmerlink, Controller Sean Lally, Sheriff Gary Brownfield, prison Warden Brian Miller and District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr. are members of the board. If formed, the local honor guard would take part in various events, including participation in funeral services for law enforcement members, constables and past and present correction officers and at other ceremonies.
“It would represent the county in paying tribute to fallen officers,” said Hicks.
Washington County Jail recently implemented a similar group at the request of Warden John Temas. Members volunteer their time with the county financially supporting a training program and purchasing uniforms. Hicks, meanwhile, said that the Fayette County honor guard would have up to 12 members for two units and properly trained in order to take part in ceremonial events.
The next step will be dependent upon support of the prison administration and funding for the project, said Hicks.
He is requesting that officers be compensated for their participation and the county set aside funding for the uniforms.
“I appreciate the support of the prison board,” said Hicks. “We’ll see where it goes.”