THOMASVILLE – As a former High Point police officer, Alan Koontz understands the perils of law enforcement, as well as the special strength required to be a law enforcement officer’s family.

That’s why Koontz, the owner of Thomasville-based Carolina Pondscapes, recently agreed to help create a memorial garden at the home of the late Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, a Winston-Salem police officer who was shot to death last October while pursuing a suspect.

“We were all horrified by the events of that day, and I – not just as a company or former officer, but as a human being – want to give back something that the family can enjoy each day, to put a shining light on the memories of Sgt. Hutchens and the love and kindness that he gave to his family and everyone he touched,” Koontz says.

Working with Majestic Gardens, a creative landscaping company in Winston-Salem – and other contractors – Carolina Pondscapes spent about three days installing a pondless water feature and surrounding landscaping features in the backyard of Hutchens’ widow, Beth.

Officers from the Winston-Salem Police Department also volunteered their time to assist with the installation, according to Koontz.

The water feature installed differs slightly from a water garden, which typically has plants and aquatic life, including fish, Koontz says.

“This is a pondless water feature,” he says. “You get the aesthetics – the sound and the movement. People who get this don’t care about having fish, but they want to hear the soothing sounds of the water. It’s very relaxing.”

According to Koontz, the water feature will be a great place for Beth Hutchens to come and reflect on the memory of her husband. She was so pleased with the final project that she offered to pay for it, Koontz adds, but her offer was rejected.

The project was not for profit, Koontz says, but was solely to honor the memory of Mickey Hutchens for his family.

“We hope this memorial ... will serve as a glowing and eternal reminder of his life and his passion to help others,” Koontz says.

jtomlin@hpe.com | 888-3579