St. Paul City Council Member Dan Bostrom, once a police sergeant, remembers that May night 38 years ago.
One of his officers, James Sackett, was ambushed and shot by a sniper while responding to a bogus emergency call. Just back at work from a leave to tend to his fourth child, Sackett died.
Monday, the day Sackett would have turned 66, a sign bearing his name was unveiled at the East Side park named in his honor.
Bostrom said it's a fitting tribute. Sackett's family members had asked for it. The St. Paul Police Federation, the St. Paul Police Foundation and the Capital City Partnership raised money for it.
The new sign at the park at 1620 Ames Av. accompanies the stone monument and plaque that has paid tribute to Sackett for years.
It took more than three decades to charge and convict two men, Ronald L. Reed and Larry L. Clark, in the killing. Based on a state Supreme Court ruling last month, Clark is scheduled to get a new trial.
CHRIS HAVENS
