HUTCHINSON, Kan. — When former Reno County Sheriff Jim Fountain died in February of 2017, his family chose to have his memorials sent to the Reno County Deputy Sheriff’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 18.

Roughly 10 months later, Jim’s son, Gregg, died. The Fountain family chose to send his memorials to the local F.O.P. Lodge as well.

After a great deal of discussion between lodge members and the Fountain family, a scholarship fund was established with the memorial money, donations from the F.O.P. Lodge, and additional donations from the Fountain family. Thus, the Jim Fountain Memorial Scholarship was established.

In order to receive the scholarship, the recipient must be a graduating Senior from Nickerson High School pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

This year’s recipient of the first-ever Jim Fountain Memorial Scholarship is Pearson Schrag.

Schrag has a cumulative 3.45 GPA and plans to pursue Criminal Justice at Friends University on a football scholarship. He was active in football, baseball, basketball, stuco, leadership, debate, madrigals and choir.