Del City celebrated a milestone last week when law enforcement officials and the community came together to dedicate the city’s new police station.
The blazing Oklahoma sun didn’t affect the pomp of the 1 p.m. ceremony led by Mayor Brian Linley, and attended by numerous other state and local dignitaries anxious to show support.
Before touring the 18,000-square foot building, the estimated 400 attendees paid tribute to Del City’s only fallen police officer, William Haskell Keith, who died at age 26 following a 1965 high speed pursuit. The building is named in his honor.
Haskell’s family, including two of his children, took part in the dedication ceremony and said they were pleased with the the city’s decision to name the new station after their father. Haskell’s other daughter and brother, also attended the ceremony.
Since Keith’s death, Del City Police have always made an effort to keep their lost comrade’s memory alive. City Manager Mark Edwards said when he was hired as a rookie in 1976, he was told the story by senior officers.
And at that time, Edwards said he resolved to never forget the “ultimate sacrifice” Haskell paid.
The city manager said while the road to a new station was a long one, “the police department now has a modern building, designed for police functions and with input from the police officers in this department.
“Who better to design a building, then the cops who have to work in it,” the city manager said.
Police Chief Phil Taylor and Assistant Chief John Smith expressed their sincere thanks for the new building and thanked everyone for attending.
Smith was instrumental in creating the station’s building plans, having made trips to other stations.
Linley told attendees Keith’s memory was still alive, especially for the EMS first responder working the night of Keith’s accident who attended the dedication ceremony.
“May he never be forgotten,” the mayor said. “That is what this thing is about on this building.”
While much focus was on Keith Thursday, Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel acknowledged all officers who still risk their lives every day, just like Keith did, to keep others safe.
The sheriff said the new station was being dedicated in their honor, too.
State Rep. Scott Inman, who is a longtime Del City resident, called the station a “game-changer” for the community, which is attracting new residents and businesses.
Others who spoke during the dedication included Destiny Christian Pastor Lawrence Neisent, who delivered the open invocation, Assistant Police Chief John Smith and Pastor Vera Radley of Del City First Church of the Nazarene.
In closing, the Del City Honor Guard unveiled the official dedication plaque on the outside of the building, and Del City Chamber of Commerce officials welcomed citizens to the new station with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Long overdue
A new police station in Del City has been talked about since 1979.
Do the math, and that is 33 years ago.
The old police station to the west on Epperly Drive, at one time, housed police, fire and city hall employees, Edwards said. In 1965, firefighters moved out, and in 1976, city hall moved, leaving the police department as the only agency in the building.
As the city grew over the years, so did the police department, and finally in 2007, voters approved a temporary sales tax to build the $4 million facility that was ready for the move in March.
Enhanced security, geothermal heating and cooling and an advanced technology network are among the features of the new building. Sally Port doors that close one minute after an officer brings in a prisoner and timer-controlled public access doors are other security features.
Police interview areas and an expanded jail capacity of 10 people, including a drunk tank, also are included.
The walls of the jail area are painted a soft pink, which Police Chief Phil Taylor said has a calming effect on prisoners.
The facility also features a new, larger courtroom with tall ceilings and seating for 60, compared to 34 before at the old station.
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