BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Keystone Heights Heritage Commission discussed creating a memorial for the city’s former police officers and firefighters during the commission’s May 21 meeting.
Retired FHP trooper Leonard Jones served as the city’s police chief from 1975 through 1982 while also operating his business, Leonard’s Outboard Shop, with his wife Sharon and daughter Christy. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office took over the police unit’s duties in the 1980s, with the city council appointing the sheriff as the police chief until the municipality’s charter could be updated.
The Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department was a safety and social mainstay of the community until its role was eventually overtaken by Clay County Fire Rescue. The nonprofit organization sold its Station 11 on Flamingo Street in 2021.
Heritage Commission Chair Christine Arnold said the city has badges and memorabilia from both departments and that she has contacted Jones’s granddaughter about a possible memorial.
“Most people have no idea we had a police department here,” Arnold said.
Commission members discussed creating plagues or shadowboxes from department memorabilia, creating a temporary museum display, and organizing a ceremony or city council presentation to honor the former police officers and firefighters.
