August 5, 2025 – West Bend, WI – The community of West Bend, Wi is rallying behind saving a memorial fire hydrant that was painted red, white, and blue following the 2002 death of city employee John Beckmann.
This week an article on WashingtonCountyInsider.com drew attention to reports the city was looking to remove the hydrant from the area where the accident occurred and move it to the Department of Public Works across town where a flagpole was erected in Beckmann’s honor.
Neighbors on Forest Avenue and Edgewood Lane say they think the painted hydrant provides unique recognition to the 24-year-old. On Monday night, property owner Michael Kurtz said he wasn’t sure why the city wanted so desperately to move the hydrant other than it meant they had to maintain it. Kurtz offered to take responsibility for the hydrant moving forward.
“I’ll be the one to, if that’s the whole issue that it costs too much or it takes too much time to maintain it, I’ll personally paint it myself,” said Kurtz. “It’s not that big of a deal and since it’s on my property and it represents something important to the community, I’ll take that personal responsibility of doing that if that’s what it takes.”
Kurtz has owned the property with his business partner since 2000. He said the accident with Beckmann happened in 2002 and he feels a connection to the incident.
“It was me who noticed a water main leak and I called the water department because the hole next to the hydrant was about 20-feet deep,” said Kurtz. “The lady at the water department didn’t sound too concerned about it and I told her a kid could fall down there and either get trapped or even drown.
“So, within 10 minutes of my call, they were here and put up barricades and then the next day is when they did the repair and that was when John was tragically killed.
“In a weird kind of way, I feel responsible for John’s demise because it was me that called the water department to report the water main break. Now, little did I know it would result in somebody’s life being lost, but you know, it was me that called and ultimately it was my property that John died on. Whether you call it karma or whatever, I want to honor John’s memory and what happened to him so tragically.”
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Kurtz hasn’t been the only one who feels drawn to saving the memorial hydrant. After the story was published on WashingtonCountyInsider.com, people who feel a tie to what happened chimed in saying they would like to see the memorial hydrant stay.
Kurtz said, “I appreciate you being on top of it all the time and without you breaking stories, this stuff doesn’t get told.”
A note of clarification – neighbors are guessing it’s maintenance regarding why the city is hard pressed to move the hydrant, however no one really knows because calls to the DPW are not being returned.
If you want to reach out and contact Ruth Mueller at DPW the number is 262-394-3925.
Below is the initial story about the possible removal of the memorial hydrant.
August 4, 2025 – West Bend, WI – Neighbors on Edgewood Lane and S. Forest Avenue in West Bend, Wi, are receiving new laterals and the project may cost them a memorial fire hydrant that was painted in tribute to city employee John Beckmann who was tragically killed in a work-related accident in July 2002 when he was 24 years old.
Jamie Zellner lives on the corner of Forest and Edgewood. The memorial hydrant is in front of his house. He said he’s heard the city wants to remove the red, white, and blue hydrant painted in Beckmann’s honor.
“I don’t think they should move it,” he said. “It should stay and be painted once a year by the city as a sign of respect.”
Questioned whether he knew what happened at the corner, Zellner said, “I understand someone lost their life due to inadequate safety procedures at the time, and it set a precedent, and it should be honored that way.”
“I know the city is replacing the lead laterals, but does the hydrant have lead in it,” asked Zellner. “Test it… I don’t think it does.
“I think it should remain here. Some say they want to move it across town to the public works building but he didn’t get hurt over there. Right? Who’s going to notice over there?
Justyn Licht lives on the corner of Forest Avenue and E. Washington Street. “I heard about the meaning behind the hydrant through friends and neighbors,” he said.
“I think we should leave it,” he said. “They should honestly keep it and maintain it, because it’s a landmark, a cool little tribute, and it’s just one of those little West Bend history things.”
Mary Schultz is another neighbor on Edgewood. She lives about four houses from the memorial hydrant. “I think it’s important it stays, because it happened right there,” said Schultz, who was troubled about why the city was so hard pressed to remove it.
“When people walk by and if we’re out there and they’re looking at it, we’ll explain what happened,” she said.
Questioned whether it will carry the same significance if it is moved to the DPW, Schultz said no.
“If the city doesn’t think we care as neighbors, we do,” she said. “I don’t know why it bothers the city so much they feel the need to change it.”
It was July 9, 2002, when John Beckmann was using a power saw to cut a water main when it kicked back and delivered a fatal cut to his artery. Flight for Life transported Beckmann but the injury was too severe.
An investigation was conducted and DPW workers said Beckmann’s death changed OSHA standards to make safety changes that are in place today.
“It’s a memorial and was painted as a tribute. If it wasn’t done as a tribute, why did they paint it different than the other hydrants in town,” said Darwin Tackes who owns a duplex on Edgewood.
“I’m hoping it stays. It’s a memorial to mark something that happened.”
Questioned whether he agrees with moving it to the department of public works building, Tackes said, “People won’t know what it represents.”
Tackes said neighbors on the block talk about the hydrant and what happened over 20 years ago. He said new neighbors even know the story, because they ask.
“If they move it… too bad for the kid. Too bad for the mom,” said Tackes.
UPDATE: Three calls have been placed to the DPW and one walk-in visit over the past two weeks. On Wednesday, August 5 at 11 a.m. a call was returned.
Below is a photo of the flagpole outside the DPW with a plaque that reads John Beckmann Memorial 2002.
As of Sunday evening, the memorial hydrant has been covered by a black plastic bag.
Do you think the hydrant should be saved as a memorial at Forest and Edgewood in West Bend, WI?
If the issue is painting the hydrant annually, would you be willing to help?
