Residents along Edgewood Lane and South Forest Avenue in West Bend, Wisconsin, are finding themselves in a difficult position this summer—not just due to construction disruptions, but because a beloved local memorial may soon be lost.
As part of the city’s ongoing infrastructure improvement project, new sewer laterals are being installed throughout the neighborhood. While residents understand and support the need for modernizing aging utilities, many are heartbroken over the potential removal of a cherished memorial fire hydrant, lovingly painted in tribute to John Beckmann, a former city employee who tragically died in the line of duty in July 2002 at the age of just 24.
The fire hydrant, located near the intersection of Edgewood Lane and S. Forest Avenue, has stood for over two decades as a quiet but powerful tribute to John. Painted with care and maintained by members of the community, the hydrant became more than just a city fixture—it became a symbol of service, sacrifice, and remembrance.
John Beckmann was a dedicated public works employee, well-known in West Bend for his strong work ethic, easy smile, and sincere devotion to the city he served. His life was cut short in a tragic work-related accident, a loss that reverberated throughout the community and left a lasting impact on friends, family, and coworkers alike. In the weeks following his passing, local residents and city employees came together to honor John’s memory. The idea for the painted fire hydrant emerged organically—from love, loss, and the desire to never forget.
Now, with the hydrant sitting squarely in the path of planned construction, its future is uncertain. According to residents and several members of the Beckmann family, there has been limited communication from the city about what will happen to the hydrant. Some fear it will be unceremoniously removed and replaced with a standard issue hydrant, while others hope a compromise can be reached—either to relocate the memorial or integrate it into the new design.
Local resident Carol Jensen, who lives nearby and helped repaint the hydrant each year, voiced her concern:
“That hydrant isn’t just paint on metal. It’s a reminder that real people are behind the work the city does. John gave his life doing this job. The least we can do is protect the small piece of him we have left.”
Others have expressed frustration that such a deeply symbolic marker could be dismissed in the name of progress. Neighborhood petitions are now circulating, calling on the West Bend City Council and Department of Public Works to preserve the hydrant—or at the very least, ensure the tribute to John Beckmann continues in a meaningful and visible way.
As word of the hydrant’s possible removal spreads, support for preserving it has grown beyond just the local neighborhood. Several former coworkers of John’s have spoken up on social media, sharing photos, memories, and calls to action.
A spokesperson for the city has acknowledged community concerns, stating that “no final decision has been made” and that discussions are underway to “find an appropriate and respectful resolution.” Still, residents are eager for concrete answers and reassurances that John’s memory won’t be erased in the shuffle of asphalt and construction deadlines.
At its heart, this is more than a debate about infrastructure—it’s a reminder of how public spaces can carry private grief, and how seemingly small things like a fire hydrant can become sacred symbols of loss, love, and community resilience.
The people of West Bend are hoping for a resolution that reflects the spirit of the city itself: one that values history, honors its heroes, and remembers that some legacies deserve to be preserved—not paved over.
As one handwritten sign near the hydrant now reads:
“This hydrant has heart. Please don’t take it away.”
The community waits and watches, hoping that the heart of their neighborhood remains intact.
Leave a Reply