April 26, 2009 in City

Lewiston memorial honors police

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LEWISTON – A new memorial plaza with a stone monument honoring five Lewiston police officers who died in the line of duty has been unveiled in front of the Lewiston Police Department.

A 21-gun salute on Friday accompanied the unveiling of the monument that contains the names of the five officers.

“Their legacy of courage and their sacrifice will always stand as foundations for the Lewiston Police Department,” Lewiston Police Chief Steven Orr told the crowd of more than 200. “We will never forget.”

The five are Harold J. Mossman, Gordon A. Harris, Ralph T. Russell, Edward E. Davis and Ross D. Flavel.

Mossman died in 1921, Harris in 1924, and Flavel in 1972. Russell died in 1970 attempting to apprehend two federal fugitives, and Davis died in 1971 of a heart attack while in a high-speed pursuit with a felony offender.

“They were the heroes to those who were the victims of crime,” Orr said. “They were our neighborhood protectors.”

A family member of Mossman’s attended the ceremony, and relatives of Davis and Russell unveiled the memorial.

“It’s overdue, and it’s nice,” said Willie Russell, a retired Lewiston police officer and brother of Ralph Russell. “It’s really nice.”

Willie Russell said his brother would have “really appreciated” the memorial.

“It’s wonderful to be able to come back to the town that he served in, and visit a memorial,” said Heidi White, Davis’ daughter.

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