Despite a slow rain, the township council held its initial dedication on June 24 for Fasola Park’s First Responder Circle, to honor the work and sacrifices of emergency personnel.
Members of all three of the emergency services in Deptford – police, fire and EMS – attended the ceremony, as well as dozens of people in the community.
“First responders share a special bond,” said Councilman Ken Barnshaw, a member of Union Fire Company and a past president and vice president of the Gloucester County Ambulance and Rescue Squad Association.
“Nobody from the public,” he added, “unless you join these organizations, are out there when the call comes in and we stop our life, when we go out there and help people that need our help.”
A large American flag was hung on the edges of two fire truck ladders as a background for three stone slabs. Two smaller slabs lay at the sides of a larger one and serve as memorials to fallen firefighters on the left and fallen police officers on the right.
The middle slab reads “dedicated to past present and future firefighters and police officers of Deptford.”
“Today is a dedication that was planned for months, actually from last year,” said Mayor Paul Medany. “This circle, in the renovation of the park years ago, we decided to name First Responders Circle, in honor of all our first responders.”
The families of late township firefighter Jeff Pfeiffer and police officer Robert Shisler were also on hand to pay tribute to two fallen sons of Deptford. Pfeiffer died in the line of duty earlier this year, and Shisler succumbed in May to injuries he suffered when he was shot in a struggle with a suspect two months earlier.
A representative from their respective departments held an umbrella over photos of the two men and county Commissioners Jim Jefferson and Frank DiMarco were also present at the event.
“This has been my town for decades,” said DiMarco, a Deptford resident. “I am still in awe of people who run towards something that normal people wouldn’t. I just want to say thank you.”
After the ceremony concluded, officials cut the ribbon for Fasola Park’s new bike track on the lower level.
