Florissant Council Honors 2 Police Officers, 1 ex-Officer

By Carol Arnett

The Florissant City Council issued commendations to two police officers, recognized a long-term supporter of the police department, and gave out the beautiful home awards. (See the article and the winning homes in print edition Thursday July 2 on page 16 for  the Beautiful Home Awards.)

The council issued commendations to Officer Mark Lorthridge and Officer Lori Bethmann.

Police Chief Timothy Lowery said the officers responded to a crisis situation in which a 15- year -old was threatening his family with a knife. The officers were able to talk the teen into giving up the knife. He was then taken to a facility to receive mental help.

Chief Lowery and Mayor Tom Schneider then gave a certificate of appreciation to Sherry Opich. Lowery said Opich helped police out after Ferguson riots last August. She collected food and donated it to Florissant and command posts in Ferguson and Clayton. Opich is a former St. Louis County police officer. Her late husband Ed was a detective for county and passed away from cancer.

Opich helped find, select and pay for Eddie, the newest canine addition to the Florissant Police Department. Opich said she always wanted to have canine named after her husband, so she donated Eddie to the department.

You always shown how much you care,” Schneider said, adding that the dog has been a wonderful addition and has boosted morale in the department.

The dog’s full name is Eddie Courtney Quinless. He’s named after Rick Quinless, one of the first St. Louis City canine officers, who lived in Florissant, Opich said, as well as her husband and her father, who was with the military police.

   In other matters, the city council passed a bill appropriating $270,000 for the replacement of the ball field lights and light poles on fields 3 and 7 in St. Ferdinand Park. The council also passed a bill authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with St. Louis County to provide for the city’s participation in the multi-jurisdictional drug task force for the year beginning July 1.

The council also tabled a bill that would have appropriated $28,100 for repairs to the Calavera Subdivision entrance monument. It was damaged when a vehicle hit it. The monument is at the entrance to the subdivision at New Halls Ferry Rd. Several residents questioned the expense on social media, both for the amount and because it would be for a specific subdivision

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