Heroes Monument Dedicated on Courthouse Square

The June 6, 2011 death of Du Quoin firefighter Corey Shaw has inspired a beautiful monument on the courthouse lawn in Pinckneyville that honors Shaw and two law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The memorial, constructed through $7,000 in gifts, was dedicated on Saturday.

Shaw's death fighting a fire at the Pinckneyville antique mall and next door opera house was the impetus for the project, but it stands as a monument to all those who died in service.

The monument stands across the street from where the fire happened.

The two others honored include William Watts, who died in 1881 at the age of 35. He was trying to arrest a man named James Vaughn. As Watts held Vaughn by the arm, Vaughn turned with a knife, stabbing Watts in the chest, severing an artery. The facts were conveyed by Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman.

In Du Quoin, police officer John Kelly was killed in the line of duty in 1921. He was called to a disturbance at a restaurant.

"Officer Kelly went inside the restaurant, laid his hands on the subject shoulders asking if everything was ok," says Du Quoin Police Chief Michael Ward. "The subject then turned around and fired four shots."

Kelly died two days later. He was 28 years old.

Corey Shaw is the youngest of the three honored. He was 22.

For Du Quoin Fire Chief Bob Shaw, Corey's father, the monument brings closure and a lasting tribute.