Honoring a Le Mars Law Enforcement Officer
Today KLEM’s What Now program tells the story of a long forgotten Le Mars law enforcement officer who was shot and killed in the late 1800’s. The officer will be honored with a grave marker later this month. “The Last Gift,” made up of a group of volunteers, will honor “Night Watchman” Samuel H. Hamilton on “Peace Officer Memorial Day” May 15th.
Lynn Steckelberg, retired from the Plymouth County Sherriff’s Office and a member of “the Last Gift,” tells about the organization.
Stuart Dekkenga, retired Le Mars Police Chief, learned about the death of the “Night Watchman” in 2007.
Dekkenga says a newspaper article says Samuel Hamilton had confronted a group of men who were creating a disturbance.
The shooter was later arrested, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to eight years in prison.
Hear the full interview about this story today on KLEM’s What Now program at 11:50 a.m.
Donations to “the Last Gift” can be made by mail by sending them to P.O. Box 221 in Le Mars or go to the Last Gift Facebook page for more information.
