Edgewood dedicates park to honor John Gunter
Apr. 29—EDGEWOOD — The town of Edgewood has dedicated the town park along Ind. 32 in memory of John Gunter.
Gunter served two terms as Madison County Sheriff in the 1970s and spent 38 years with the local law enforcement community.
His wife, Carlene Westerfield, said it was amazing that the town of Edgewood named the park after Gunter.
"John knew about the plans," she said, before he died in 2019. "He was so happy about it.
"We didn't know which park it would be," Westerfield said. "He loved the main park."
Westerfield said it's a wonderful memorial for Gunter.
"He had such an impact on people's lives," she said.
Patty Farran, president of the Edgewood Town Council, said Gunter served on the town council and was a big figure in the local community.
"The council felt it was the right thing to do," she said. "That was the site the entire council wanted.
"John did a lot for Edgewood and it was an honor to have him serve on the council," Farren said. "He always kept us moving in the right direction."
During his tenure as sheriff, Gunter became known as the "Singing Sheriff" and performed with Carl Erskine with the Little Bit of Country band that raised money for the Special Olympics.
Gunter served as a paratrooper during the Korean War and joined the Anderson Police Department in 1955.
In 1970, he was elected sheriff for Madison County as a Republican and served two terms. He returned to APD in 1979 and retired in 1993.
His last assignment was with APD as a full-time DARE officer, teaching students from kindergarten to sixth grade.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
