DECATUR -- A movement by several family members to rename a Decatur street after a former Decatur police officer who died in the line of duty resulted in the passing of a new Decatur city ordnance during the regular session of the Decatur City Council May 11.
Planning and zoning committee chairman James Jessen presented his committee's recommendation to rename East Street, located east of city hall, to Setser Street in honor of Lester Kenneth Setser, who was shot and killed in Decatur on June 5, 1951. Setser, who was the constable of Decatur Township at the time, was shot to death near his home on Maple Ave.
Setser was the only law enforcement officer in Decatur at a time when crime was on the rise. He was able to restore order to the community.
On June 5, 1951, Setser answered a call concerning an intoxicated man causing a disturbance. He responded and defused the situation. In an act of kindness, Setser took the intoxicated man home. The man went inside his house and exited with a firearm, shooting Setser numerous times. Setser died at the scene.
In December 2014, the Setser family asked city leaders to consider renaming a street in Decatur after the fallen officer.
After review of Ordinance Number 15-02 and the three readings as required by state law in Arkansas, the council approved the ordinance.
East St. runs through the Decatur Cemetery from Roller Ave, to Maple Ave. near the old Setser family home.
A ceremony formally renaming the street will take place at 5:30 p.m. June 5 near the flag pole in the new section of Decatur Cemetery. The public is invited to attend.
See next week's issue of the Eagle Obsever for more on Lester Kenneth Setser.
General News on 05/27/2015