Dedication At The Bryan Police Officer’s Memorial Of An Eagle Scout Project

Eagle Scout candidate Roman Smith uncovers the statue being added at the Bryan police officer's memorial site May 12, 2026 with BPD chief Dean Swartzlander watching.

National Police Week was the setting Tuesday morning (May 12) in front of the Bryan police department for the unveiling of a new memorial.

Police chief Dean Swartzlander thanked Eagle Scout candidate Roman Smith for his project that includes a statue remembering fallen officers.

Smith, a ninth grade student at Bryan High School, dedicated his project to his godfather. Bryan Heber was a Beaumont police officer who died in the line of duty in July of 2011.

In addition to the statue, there are three benches…one for Smith’s godfather and benches remembering fallen Bryan police officers Mark Hiatt and Jim Do that are now at the local law enforcement training grounds.

And Smith raised enough money to complete the memorial to also present a check to the Mark Hiatt scholarship fund with the Bryan police officers association.

Click below to hear the memorial statue dedication program that was held May 12, 2026 and presented by police chief Dean Swartzlander.

Front of the statue that was unveiled at the Bryan police officer’s memorial site May 12, 2026.
Rear of the statue that was unveiled at the Bryan police officer’s memorial site May 12, 2026.
Memorial bench in honor of fallen Beaumont police officer and the godfather of Eagle Scout candidate Roman Smith.
Memorial bench in honor of fallen Bryan police officer Mark Hiatt.
Memorial bench in honor of fallen Bryan police officer Jim Do.
Eagle Scout candidate Roman Smith presents a check to the president of the Bryan police officers association, Chris Gray, for the Mark Hiatt scholarship fund.

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