Fallen officer honored with memorial wall

The memorial wall honoring Aaron Allan was unveiled by the color guard.

By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer

The first anniversary of the death of Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan was a historic day for the city. Speakers who honored Allan during the ceremony included Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn, Allan’s widow, Stacy, and his father, James, Mayor Russell McClure and Sen. Joe Donnelly.

The ceremony, which featured the Southport color guard and a bagpipe salute, was held before the unveiling of the Lt. Allan Memorial Wall. Vaughn said Friday was “a somber day but also a beautiful day” to honor Allan and for the opening of the new Southport Municipal Building, which houses Southport police headquarters and other city offices.

Stacy Allan spoke of her faith to more than 200 persons in attendance. She also asked for prayers for former Indianapolis police Deputy Chief Jim Walters, who died on the same day as her husband, and for the Coleman family, who lost nine members in a tragic boat accident in Missouri. “I cling to hope,” she said. “We cling to hope, knowing that the good in this world far outweighs any evil.”

The 5-foot memorial wall was unveiled by members of the color guard along with the presentation of the American flag, the Indiana flag and the thin blue line American flag. The wall features plaques from various donors, including The Southsider Voice, for the police department’s training and equipment fund.

McClure honored all law enforcement officers by stating, “They know that without their courage, there would be no security; and without their sacrifice, there would be no justice.” A clay bust of Allan was on display inside the building. The bust was sculptured by Southside artist Duane King, who has launched a fund drive to pay for casting the sculpture in bronze. The ceremony was followed by the ribbon cutting by Clerk Treasurer Diana Bossingham, Councilor James Cooney and McClure.

Those who spoke in honor of Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan were (from left) Chief Thomas Vaughn; Allan’s widow, Stacy; Allan’s father, James; Mayor Russell McClure; and Sen. Joe Donnelly.