Dozens of people gathered at Proctor Park Friday, the first anniversary of the death of Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith, for a soft groundbreaking of the First Responders Memorial.
The project is shovel-ready, but more money is needed to complete it, organizers said.
First responders, family members of fallen officers and community members were in attendance to celebrate the soft groundbreaking and honor Smith. He died on June 28, 2023 after police say a Missouri man intentionally veered into the lane where he was deploying stop sticks to strike him during a police pursuit on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Hendricks County.
The event marked a significant milestone in the creation of a new public safety memorial that has turned into a community effort to revitalize a park tucked back in New Whiteland at 499 Tracy Road.
The monument is envisioned as a peaceful place to honor and remember Johnson County service members and first responders. It began as a way to honor the two county residents who died in the line of duty last year — Smith, a graduate of Whiteland Community High School and Franklin resident, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Guyer, who died from a medical issue at the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy in August 2023.
Maribeth Alspach, former New Whiteland clerk-treasurer and current park board member, has spearheaded fundraising and planning efforts for the project with the help of UpLift Johnson County. They are about halfway to their goal of raising $120,000 for the park and are determined to have a ribbon cutting before this winter, Alspach said.
Community members have offered services to help offset the cost. Drew Braley with Browning Day, an architecture firm, has helped design the memorial and Mike Duke, owner of Duke Homes, will help build it.
There’s still work that needs to be done, said Wendy McClellan, founder and executive director of UpLift Johnson County. They are confident that they will reach their goal. Sheriff Duane Burgess has committed to donating proceeds from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Charity Ride to the project too, she said.
McClellan encouraged community members and organizations to donate to the project to accomplish their goals.
“Even small donations and small acts of giving when done in the community make a gigantic difference and we can accomplish great things,” McClellan said.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said he has dreaded the anniversary of Smith’s death. After another officer was intentionally hit and killed in March of the same year, having a memorial dedicated to first responders means a lot, he said. Carter committed to doing his part to make sure the funds are raised to see the memorial through.
“These are the kinds of things that matter so much to us,” Carter said.
Burgess remembered Guyer as a leader, a mentor and a friend. It’s an honor to have a dedicated space for first responders in Johnson County, Burgess said. He is reminded of fallen officers every day when he sees their photo on the walls of the sheriff’s office, he said.
“Those guys gave their lives to protect folks,” Burgess said. “It was an honor having them work for me. It was a call that day that I never wanted to receive.”
Smith’s father, Garry Smith gave tearful testimony on behalf of his family. Garry and his family visit Proctor Park often to see their son’s memorial and the memorial for Army Spc. Jimmy Waters, a family friend who died in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. It’s been an honor to see the turnout and he is grateful, Garry Smith said.
Proctor Park has become a “holy ground” for the Smith and Waters families, he said. They are hopeful that the park will serve as a reminder of those who served and sacrificed, Garry Smith said.
“Having a place to honor the heroes like Aaron and his best friend James A. Waters and other Johnson County military, law enforcement and EMS — it’s a holy ground for our family,” Garry Smith said. “We hope that by remembering what happened a year ago, we’ll also remember those who served on behalf of all Hoosiers.”
Garry Smith joked that his son wouldn’t like the recognition. He was humble and doing what he was called to do, his family says. Smith had a strong faith and was very involved in children’s ministry with his wife, Megan.
He loved helping others, Garry Smith said. He recalled after the Whiteland tornado how Smith and his wife immediately helped clear debris, cutting trees and fixing fences. Garry Smith is proud and honored to say he was Smith’s father, he said.
“Aaron worked all day hard and went home, put his uniform on and went to work,” Garry Smith said. “That’s the man I raised.”
Even in death, Smith was caring for others, he said. Normally, officers would park on the side of the road and use their vehicles to deter an accident if it were to occur. That day, Smith had a ride-along and parked on the ramp so the passenger wouldn’t get hurt, Garry Smith said. It’s a sentiment to who Smith was, he said.
Garry Smith credits his faith for helping him through his grief, he said.
“I’m confident Aaron is in Heaven, what else could I want for?” Garry said.
Emily Marlin, a cousin of Smith’s through marriage, came to the soft groundbreaking because she wanted to support and honor Smith on the anniversary. Proctor Park will be a place for her and Smith’s family to feel close to him, she said. Grief is an ongoing process and having a tangible place to grieve is “instrumental,” she said.
“It’s so heartbreaking to know that he left this earth so early in his life, but you can see the ripple effects of these testimonies that are affecting people long after he is gone. I believe fully in my heart that it will continue for years and years to come,” Marlin said. “His legacy will live on. Proctor Park is a great way to help that live on, but even without something like Proctor Park, just the man who he was will never be forgotten.”
HOW TO HELP
Proctor Park First Responders Memorial
What: A new memorial honoring fallen first responders will feature three 15-foot granite slabs with concrete bases combined into a wall engraved with the oaths of police, fire and EMTs. Existing engraved bricks at the park will be moved to the front of it, along with new bricks that can be purchased to honor first responders. The memorial will also feature a black granite teardrop to honor the 22 veterans a day who commit suicide. A new sidewalk, benches and greenery will be added as well. The project will also move restrooms to a more convenient location.
Where: Proctor Park, 499 Tracy Road, New Whiteland.
Cost: Total cost is estimated at $100,000. $67,000 has been raised as of Friday and more is needed.
Helping out: The Proctor Park Committee is encouraging those interested in partnering to reach out. For more information or to make a donation, visit upliftjoco.org/proctorpark or email [email protected].
