By JIM BARBIERI
One of the very deeply jolted on the scene of Ossian’s 1991 train-car triple tragedy was Ossian Police Chief Bob Mattax.
This reporter, on reaching that grim scene, saw Mattax first thing. He knew the victims and he was shaken, even as he had to go forth in helping at the scene.
That came at an otherwise very difficult time in the Mattax career. It was an era when town governments found it popular to rein in police, and there were clamors for it in Ossian too.
While there were incidents of police exceeding the limits in some larger cities where publicity was greater, those officers seeking to protect the public and stay within rules were being painted with the same brush as the few offenders in the ranks.
Ossian Chief Mattax was among the early ones here to work on drug investigations, and he warned as ardently as he could about Ossian’s geographic vulnerability to nearby Fort Wayne. It was hard for him to get heard, especially as the general police image was portrayed in various circles as well below firefighters and offensive to community goodwill or bad for business.
Mattax took the non-subtle hint. He adapted to the times and expectations. He learned to be less intense, and in time more mellow, even as he kept the faith.
He also was singing country western music and he was there to be an original in the launching of the Flatland Posse, staying in it until it came to be too big a demand on his time.
His diabetes problem was known to be a concern and whatever health troubles he already had, his status wasn’t helped by a recent injury accident.
But the autopsy-noted heart attack that took his life last Sunday at age 47 -- that was unexpected.
Meanwhile, also, two huge developments of recent years have reshaped the public outlooks here.
One was the fatal shooting of Wells-Adams-assigned State Trooper Cory Elson in 1999.
The other was nationwide -- the September 11th attack on America.
Both caused the public to rethink views toward police and restore appreciation and respect for the role of law enforcement and its officers.
The thin blue and brown lines again became firm in the eyes of citizens, no longer blurred.
Over 100 police units from throughout the area, extending also to the state capital and perhaps beyond, turned out for the funeral Thursday of Ossian Police Chief Bob Mattax at Hope Missionary Church in Bluffton.
Included were officers of the Ossian and Bluffton Police and the Wells County Sheriff’s Department; officers from the towns here, from Fort Wayne and Allen County and other area counties and municipalities. And state police and conservation officers and firefighters and EMS too.
A police motorcycle honor guard was in the long procession of vehicles. There was a giant line of traffic in mid-day here.
The tribute lauded a police career of more than 20 years -- a service of mercy and help and protection to others.
Along with the personal side, Chief Mattax was hailed for the rediscovered role of police -- as a friend and protector of youth and all ages.
Life was altogether too short for his wider participation in the benefits from the public rediscovery of police and their true role, but at least Chief Mattax was hailed on the final police journey for keeping the faith in protection of the public safety.