{gallery}03_19_09/lewis{/gallery} Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers honored Marshal Charles Lewis at a graveside ceremony Monday. Lewis was killed in the line of duty 70 years ago. As a Powell Centennial Committee member, Feathers led the charge in memorializing Lewis. Tribune photo by Gib Mathers 70 years after his death, town marshal is recognized as a community heroPowell Town Marshal Charles Lewis, killed in the line of duty 70 years ago, was remembered and saluted for his valor and service to Powell during a memorial Monday.Monday's consensus: Lewis was a pillar of the community, admired and respected by all.\

Lewis was 43 when a bullet from Earl Durand took his life — a life of service to his community and country.

Powell Mayor Scott Mangold and the City Council proclaimed Monday, March 16, 2009, as Charles Lewis Memorial Day.

The Powell Police building soon will have a plaque at the front door naming it “The Charles E. Lewis Law Enforcement Center.” The plaque was unveiled during the ceremony on Monday.

“Lord,” prayed Pastor David Poole of Powell First Baptist Church, “we know his impact on this community has been significant.”

From 1914 to 1915, Lewis was on the Powell High School basketball team, said Officer Matthew Brilakis of the Powell Police Department.

In 1915, Lewis saw his first military action, against Pancho Villa, while serving Gen. John Pershing in the U.S. Army. He served in World War I and attained the rank of sergeant while fighting in France. Lewis refused a battlefield commission, saying he would not leave his company from Wyoming, Brilakis said.

After the war, Lewis returned to Powell.

Lewis married Bess Phillips in 1921. In 1922, he became the water and street commissioner and town marshal.

Charles and Bess Lewis were founding members of the American Legion in Powell, Brilakis said.

The Lewises had two daughters, Margaret and Milrae. Margaret died in 1962.

On Monday, Milrae Lewis Catlett was escorted to the podium by two of Powell's finest.

Catlett's childhood memories are of a house abounding with laughter and love.

“He was a man's man,” Catlett said, “but a big softy.”

Once Catlett recalled an injured antelope her father found. Lewis brought it home, tended the pronghorn and freed it when it was healthy.

When the family dog died, Lewis swore never to replace it. But shortly after the canine's passing, a puppy was bounding about the house, Catlett said.

Popular in Lewis' day were boots that laced up to the knee. Once, when a fire alarm sounded, Lewis hopped out of bed, cinched his boots tight and lit out.

“He forgot to put his pants on,” Catlett told a laughing full house.

Keith Bloom of Powell said his father, Carl, and Lewis were tight friends. Lewis had impeccable integrity, courage and compassion, and children loved him.

Whatever activity, children felt they were a contributing part of it, Bloom said.

“We all need heroes growing up, and Chuck was a hero to many people,” he said.

Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers, who was instrumental in organizing the event, presented Catlett with a carved box, signifying Lewis' name was inscribed on a wall in Washington, D.C., along with 15,000 other law-enforcement officers who died serving their communities.

Catlett presented Feathers and the department with a plaque reading: “In appreciation to the Powell Police Department for the honor and respect you pay him and for keeping his memory alive. Charles ‘Chuck' E. Lewis, 1895 to 1939, Powell, Wyo., 2009, from his family.”

“This will be put in a place of honor,” said Feathers, with a catch in his voice.

The entire Powell police force attended Lewis' graveside memorial service on Monday, save two. One is serving in Afghanistan, and the other undergoing police training, said Feathers.

Feathers said the Park County Sheriff's office minded Powell while its police attended the service.

At the graveside service, police stood in dress blues. Former Sen. Al Simpson, R-Wyo., was there along with other dignitaries.

Poole prayed, and then “Taps” sounded: A melancholy hymn, yet with a note of hope.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol posted the colors. Flags of Wyoming and America snapped in the wind as though saluting a fallen comrade laid to rest with full and earned police honors.

“He would have been proud to have served with you,” Catlett told the police.