Grand Rapids police and area businesses have joined forces to honor 16 officers who died on the job, including the first back in 1895.
Their graves now have iron markers that can hold an American flag and are shaped like police badges. Capt. Jeff Hertel tells The Grand Rapids Press it's time to recognize the officers' sacrifices.
He says one of the toughest challenges was finding the graves. George Powers was killed in 1895 but had no headstone at Oak Hill Cemetery. Hertel had to use old cemetery maps to find him and others.
Betz Industries made the markers for free, and West End Body Shop painted them. Dan Scott of Betz Industries says the company wanted to honor people who protected others.
