Powell Town Marshal Charles Lewis was killed March 16, 1939. Seventy years later, Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers organized a memorial service because, he said, it is time the man was honored for his ultimate sacrifice.Remembering a town father and lawman killed in the line of duty in 1939, the city of Powell's police facility will be dedicated and named the Charles E. Lewis Law Enforcement Center. Monday, March 16, will be declared Charles Lewis Memorial Day.

“As we researched the history of our department, we learned that many in the community remember the infamy of the one who murdered Mr. Lewis, but few remember Mr. Lewis and his contribution to Powell,” Feathers said.

“I feel bad it's taken so long to recognize this man, and that the community doesn't know who he is,” said Mayor Scott Mangold at Monday's City Council meeting.

The memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. at the Wyoming National Guard armory in Powell. A graveside service will follow.

“We thought it fitting as part of our (Powell) Centennial observance to re-introduce our community to a man who played an integral part in its early development — (to) remember a man that really gave his life serving the community,” Feathers said.

Lewis began working for Powell in 1922 and wore many hats from the start, until his career was cut short by a bullet.

He was town marshal and street and water commissioner, all at the same time. He played a significant role in the development of Powell's infrastructure, Feathers said.

Feather's conclusion of the man: He was a community leader.

The man who killed Lewis will never be mentioned March 16, Feathers said. All that will be said is Lewis was killed by a Park County jail escapee.

Most people can't recall Lewis, said an exasperated Feathers.

“But we remember the guy that murdered him,” Feathers said. “This just doesn't seem right. The guy doesn't deserve it. He was a black spot on our community.”

Five men were killed in 1939 by bank robber Earl Durand. Those men were making their community a better place, Feathers said.

“They were respected members of the community,” said Lewis' granddaughter, Amy Catlett of Orange County, Calif.

Catlett, who will attend the memorial service, said she never met her grandfather, but is familiar with him just the same.

While conducting research, Catlett became closely acquainted with Lewis.

“He became more and more alive for me,” Catlett said.

Instead of focusing on Lewis' murderer, Feathers said, the quality of the people who helped build Powell should be celebrated.

Lewis served in World War I and suffered from poison gas deployed by the Germans while he fought in France.

Lewis also was in Mexico chasing Pancho Villa with Gen. John Pershing.

When Lewis visited the Veteran's Administration hospital in Sheridan, he regularly dropped by an orphanage to give the kids treats, Catlett said.

“I did not know my grandfather,” Catlett said, “but he was a hero.”