A memorial sculpture of late Fire Chief Ed Switalski was formally revealed over the weekend at Merrill Park in Comstock, commemorating his service and ultimate sacrifice. Switalski, who served as Comstock Township’s fire chief, was fatally struck by a vehicle in 2017 while attending an emergency on the highway. In a stirring dedication, the Comstock Township Fire and Rescue Department, alongside the local community, paid tribute to a man who dedicated his life to service.
The statue’s grand unveiling was part of the department’s centennial celebration, which marked 100 years of service. In a heartfelt speech, Switalski’s wife, Holly, expressed her enduring love and remembered his legacy. “Today we come together to acknowledge Ed s legacy, we gather in love and friendship for a man that touched us all,” Holly Switalski stated, as perWOODTV. Joshua Diedrich, the artist responsible for immortalizing Switalski in bronze, dedicated significant time to ensuring that the sculpture bore his likeness and captured his essence.
Switalski’s death marks a poignant moment in the township’s history, being the only line-of-duty death in the department’s century-long tenure. Matt Beauchamp, the current fire chief at Comstock, reflected on Switalski’s impact on the department and him personally. “The firehouse isn’t the same without Ed. He definitely brought a different level of joy and excitement, and he could get people to stand behind him,” Beauchamp said, as reported byWZZM 13. Beauchamp was present during the 2017 incident that led to Switalski’s tragic death and was instrumental in bringing the statue to fruition.
Diedrich shaped the project, which was fully funded through community donations. He was tasked with the honor and challenge of encapsulating Switalski’s character in his work. The physical memorial is a long-lasting homage to Switalski and all who serve in the line of fire.
Alongside the statue, the commemorative site at Merrill Park includes a mosaic-poured wall and benches to honor Switalski and those who have served the department. The location also reflects a broader community effort to grieve and celebrate a local hero’s life.
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