NORWICH – A group of Chenango County Sheriff's Office employees will be getting a little dirty this weekend with a little help from their friends, volunteering their time to construct a memorial garden to honor those who came before them.

Specifically, “We're working on creating a memorial garden to honor the service of all officers who died in the line of duty, while employed at the Sheriff’s Office, or have retired from the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sgt. Craig Hackett with the Corrections Division of CCSO.

According to Hackett, plans for the memorial garden has roots dating back more than ten years to when the Sheriff's Office was located in downtown Norwich on Court Street.

“We started this process when the jail was in City of Norwich,” said Hackett. “At that time we formed a committee and started the process with a design of a monument stone and placement; but then we received news that a new Public Safety Building was being built and decided to wait until we got there.”

While on the back burner, the idea was bounced abound for several years. Recently, the untimely death of a long-time supporter of the memorial accelerated efforts to get it done.

Retired Lieutenant Douglas C. Schult passed away on March 7 of 2015 following a courageous and extended battle with cancer.

“Never seeing his dream come true, we made it ours and wanted to see it done this year,” said Hackett.