FERRIS: Fallen officers remembered

FERRIS – A memorial ceremony was held  on May 15 for Ferris’ two fallen officers,  Constable Ben Wicker and Officer Harry Marvin ‘Marty’ Steinfeldt III.

The ceremony, held at the police memorial in front of city hall honored the officers killed in the line-of-duty.

Chaplain Doug Childers gave the invocation followed by a wreath was presented for Constable Ben Wicker by Officer Alan Torres while Pipe Major Robert G. Richardson bagpipes played Amazing Grace.

A  wreath for Officer Marty Steinfeldt was presented by Officer Peter Santi and a the Presentation of the Flag
by Firefighter Collin Cole.

Police Chief Eddie Salazar gave a brief message reciting the Policeman’s Prayer.

Policeman’s Prayer by Chief Eddie Salazar

I must face fears and hold my tears 

When confronted by danger,
I am willing to do this,

even for a stranger.
I will defend those 

I’ve sworn to protect,
At all costs and without neglect. 

I will patrol the streets

And will answer the call
Even though one day I may have to fall. 

I will do all these of these things with honor and dignity,
I ask that you please not shed a tear for me, 

For you see, I am where God guided me to be.

Constable Ben Wicker (end of Watch: October 10, 1962) 

On September 22, 1962, Ferris Constable James Ben Wicker responded to a call of shots fired at a cafe in Ferris. 

The constable was searching several men when one of them pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking Wicker before he had a chance to draw his weapon.

Wicker succumbed to his gunshot wounds three weeks later. 

The suspect, Bobby Bradford, was apprehended, sentenced to death and executed by electrocution on March 11, 1964. Bradford was one of the last criminals in the state of Texas to die in the electric chair before the state changed its method to lethal injection.

Constable Wicker was survived by his wife, Clara Belle Wicker (1902-1988).  

Officer Harry Marvin ‘Marty’ Steinfeldt III (end of Watch: October 6, 2002) 

Harry Marvin “Marty” Steinfeldt III, of Ferris, passed away Oct. 6, 2002, at the age of 28. 

He graduated from Ellison High School in 1992, and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving as a military police officer. 

Marty had served for two years as a police officer for the Ferris Police Department, and was killed in the line of duty protecting and serving its citizens.

Steinfeldt left behind his loving wife, Michelle, who was carrying their unborn daughter, Alyssa. 

He was also survived by his parents, Harry and Debra Steinfeldt. 

Officer Marty Steinfeldt made the ultimate sacrifice and will always be remembered for his unselfish actions on Oct. 6, 2002.