Handcrafted Tribute Honors Officer Who Died in Line of Duty in 1986
MACEDONIA – The police department received a handcrafted honor chair October 8 in tribute to Patrolman Gary Paster, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in 1986.
The special chair was presented by Saving a Hero’s Place, a nonprofit founded by former San Antonio officer Tommy Capell and his wife, Robbie, in 2013. Police Chief Vince Yakopovich thanked the Capell’s at the October 9 city council meeting for their dedication to honoring fallen officers.
Inspired by the loss of an MIT officer during the Boston Marathon bombing manhunt, the organization has since delivered 309 handcrafted chairs across 30 states. Each chair saves a place for a fallen hero.
Paster’s chair is made of cherry wood with his badge inlaid in the back. It now stands in the police department’s inner lobby beneath his photo and memorial plaque in the memorial area of the vestibule.
Members of the Paster family, including his daughter Tracy, attended the presentation to pay tribute to his service and sacrifice.
The Macedonia chair was the 209th built by the organization, according to Yakopovich. The Capells, who are based in San Antonio, Texas, also delivered a chair to Cleveland on the same day.
More information about Saving a Hero’s Place is available at savingaherosplace.org.
