“There continue to be confrontation and discussion with a smaller group. So, you know, it’s almost two steps forward, one step back,” Manak said. The funding would continue the deployment of two officers for four hours every day to support bylaw officers in some city parks. Two officers have supported city bylaw staff since September 2020, and council approved continued funding until the end of April, when it was anticipated police support would no longer be needed as 24/7 sheltering came to an end, Manak said in a letter to council requesting an indefinite continuation of the funding. “Unfortunately, the situation in many of the parks has remained extremely volatile and unsafe for bylaw officers and our Patrol Division and Community Services Division resources continue to be shortstaffed resulting in on-duty resources not being a viable option,” Manak wrote.
On the anniversary of his death, the Springfield Police Department added the name of Officer Christopher Walsh on Tuesday to its memorial for officers killed in the line of duty.
Walsh, 32, became the first Springfield Police Department officer killed in action in 88 years last March when he was shot while trying to tend to a victim at the scene of a mass shooting at the Kum & Go store on East Chestnut Expressway.
Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said Tuesday was a tragic day but also one that was necessary for healing.
A large crowd of officers and city officials showed up to support the family of Officer Walsh as the memorial was unveiled.
Posted By: Parker Padgett March 16, 2021 @ 7:47 pm Local News, News, State
Officer Christopher Walsh Photo: Springfield Police Dept.
Springfield Police Officer Christopher Walsh, who died a year ago on March 16, 2020, was honored today during a ceremony outside the Springfield Police station.
Officer Walsh’s name was engraved on a memorial monument that was donated in 1995 and features the names of 10 other officers who died in the line of duty.
Officer Walsh was killed while responding to an active shooter call at a Springfield Kum and Go. Three people, Troy Rapp, Shannon Perkins, and Matthew Hicks-Morris were also killed. Two others, including Springfield Police Officer Josiah Overton, were severely injured.
Originally published on March 17, 2021 7:24 am
A memorial outside Springfield Police Headquarters now bears the name of officer, Christopher Walsh. The SPD officer was killed March 16, 2020 in an early morning shooting at a convenience store on E. Chestnut Expressway.
On the one year anniversary of the shooting, which also killed three citizens and wounded two others, the police department held a ceremony to honor Walsh’s memory and sacrifice. On 3/16/20, the Springfield community, the Springfield Police Department and the Walsh family suffered a loss that has created a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled, said Springfield police chief, Paul Williams, who went on to recount the day that Walsh was killed.