Although nearly 20 years have passed since Vermilion County mourned the death of Sheriff’s Sergeant Myron Deckard, his legacy continues to live on through a scholarship fund for local college students.
Representatives from Danville Area Community College recognized Deckard with a plaque in his memory during Thursday morning’s Police Memorial Ceremony, noting that more than $100,000 has been donated to the Sgt. Myron Deckard Scholarship.
Larry Pasquale, who works for the Georgetown Police Department, has been in charge of raising money for the fund through the Danville Rifle and Pistol Club:
“Everybody in Vermilion County and Champaign County knew Myron, heard of Myron, and jumped on board with the fundraising, and it was incredible,” he says.
Deckard was killed on June 6, 2001 by an inmate he was transporting back to Danville. The man freed himself from his handcuffs and shot Deckard with his own gun. He is one of three fallen officers who were honored at Thursday’s ceremony, along with Danville officers August Lind (1908) and David Farnsworth (1976).
Pasquale says that there have been more than 100 scholarship recipients over the years. Nine students are receiving the award this year. It is open to children of law enforcement officers or members of the rifle club. He says it is a special way to honor Deckard, who was a mentor to many other officers.
“He got me into law enforcement 30 some years ago,” Pasquale notes. “He was a great guy. That’s all I can say. He was there for everybody.”
Tonya Hill, the executive director of the DACC Foundation, says that the bronze plaque will hang at the Bremer Center along with other scholarships that have also reached the $100,000 giving level.
Scholarship recipients this year are Abigail Belko, Kieler Bennett, Geneva Betancourt, Ryan Bostwick, Cade Howie, Sydney Long, Christopher Mann, Ashlynn McPeak, Jackson Powell.
(Larry Pasquale speaks with Danville Area Community College President Stephen Nacco and Vermilion County Sheriff’s Captain Mike Hartshorn following the ceremony on Thursday.)
