News : Fry family joins area residents, law enforcement officers, in memorial dedication

Sculptor Rick Polberg tells members of the Fry family, including a great-great-granddaughter, how the bust of the sheriff was made. Seventy-nine and a half years after his death, Sheriff Leland "Sam" Fry's grandchildren helped unveil the bronze bust of the sheriff who was murdered by a suspect in 1938. The memorial to Sheriff Fry and his wife Hazel, who made history in the days after his election by becoming the first and so far only women elected as a county sheriff in Iowa, will now be on display in the first floor of the courthouse. The family joined dozens of law enforcement officers from throughout the area, as well as local residents, for the Saturday ceremony. "This is truly a great day in the history of the Fry Family and we appreciate you sharing it with us," Jeff Raines, the Fry grandson who spoke on behalf of the family, told the audience of nearly 100. "I have to tell you how proud this would have made my grandmother, my mother and my uncle Dale. I can't even tell you how pleased they would be by this," Raines continued. "His death affected them deeply, obviously. It also affected all of us family members here in one way or another. And to see this demonstration of love and support for him and for my family is truly a tremendous thing." Raines said it was kind of strange, growing up not ever meeting their grandfather, having a special attraction and draw to their grandfather and his history. On display after the ceremony was the scrapbook that Hazel compiled after her husband's death. Raines told the audience that on all of their visits to grandma Hazel, the family would look through that scrapbook, although Hazel never really talked about the shooting. In that book are photos of Sheriff Fry, newspaper clippings telling of Hazel's election as Sheriff just days after his death, and many other items. Benton County Attorney Dave Thompson told the audience that the scrapbook, in digital form, will be available as part of a mult-media presentation in the near future. Thompson told the audience how he first saw the display honoring Sheriff Fry in his driveway, where the late Marge McDowell, a retired teacher, had set it up. Thompson said he was very surprised after seeing the display that there was not some kind of permanent memorial to Fry at the courthouse. That was the beginning of the efforts to memorialize Fry at the courthouse. Eric Dickinson of the Vinton Police Department had written a story about Fry's death, which was published several years ago in Vinton Today and other area publications. Dickinson also became part of the committee that helped plan, and raise money for, the memorial. Seeing Hazel's scrapbook "changed everything," said Thompson, of the effect that scrapbook had on the memorial. "She poured her soul into it," said Thompson, adding that it showed the effect of Fry' murder on his family. "Even 79 1/2 years later, his loss still has an effect," said Thompson. Thompson told the audience the committee is still working on the digital version of the scrapbook, but not rushing it. "Hazel Fry's scrapbook was perfect, and this project has to be real close to that mark," said Thompson, who hopes it will be available in early July. Thompson also introduced the people who created the memorial. Brian Parr helped sketch out the design for the bust. Beau Wood designed the art for the memorial on display in the courthouse. Rick Polberg sculpted the bust, and Jay Usher did the wood work. The keynote speaker was retired Magistrate Anders J. Norgaard. He recited the history of Fry's death, and how his killer, Leak C. Crowe, had escaped out of a window in Fry's office after being arrested for stealing boots and other items. Fry led a posse of officers to a home near Garrison where Crowe was reported to be hiding. The suspect then shot the sheriff, who died the next day. Norgaard told the audience how Fry's directions to officers showed his committment to the community as well as his unselfshiness. Fry directed his staff to go get Crowe, but to be careful. "He did not want anyone else to be hurt," said Norgaard. After officers surrounded the house and tried to flush the suspect out with tear gas, they heard a gunshot, and found Crowe dead inside. After Norgaard's speech, retired Benton County Sheriff Ken Popenhagen joined the family in unveiling the bust, which will be on permanent display outside the windows of Fry's old office. The ceremony included four county deputies in an honor guard, as well as an honor guard featuring four local Boy Scouts, including Taps player Evan Sampson. See more photos HERE.