A memorial plaque honouring a Sarnia police officer shot and killed by the notorious Red Ryan is the result of generous community donations.
Sarnia Historical Society President Ron RealeSmith says Cst. Jack Lewis was gunned down by Ryan during a liquor store robbery on Sarnia's main street May 23, 1936.
A special plaque, installed where the shooting occurred at the former Taylor's Furniture building at 140 Christina St. N, was unveiled Sunday at 1 p.m.
RealeSmith is impressed by the community's response after the Ontario government denied a request for funding in lieu of the $1,000 in unpaid reward money initially offered for the capture of Ryan.
"I'm very overwhelmed, and very happy to see these people step up," said RealeSmith. "Anonymous donors were able to raise $5,000. The last person was actually vacationing here, picked up a local paper in Camlachie and read the article and gave me a call. He said he'd be honoured to donate money so that we could wine and dine the Lewis family."
As many as 60 family members were expected to be on hand for Sunday's unveiling.
Cadets stood at attention at the memorial through the night, in honour of the slain officer, and the flag in front of city hall was lowered to half-mast Sunday.
In 1998, the federal government officially proclaimed the last Sunday of September, each year, as Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day.
