When the wind blows at night in the years ahead, this home will creak and settle with whispers of love for the family that lives here.
You can see them now, written on the framing of the unfinished house.
In the coming year, these words and blessings will be covered by walls and plaster.
But Mark Priebe, former Springfield police officer paralyzed in the line of duty three years ago, said Tuesday he will never forget they are there. He knows the foundation of this structure.
“This is going to be our true home, our forever home,” he said.
“To know that the love and the compassion and the willingness of people to be part of our lives — in one way or another — is just going to make it that much more of a home for us. To know that we are surrounded by everybody, and their words, is just amazing.”
Priebe, 49, was crushed by a vehicle on June 9, 2020, in the driver's deliberate attempt to harm him outside the Springfield Police Department on Chestnut Expressway.
Priebe struck the hood of the SUV and was dragged underneath the vehicle briefly before the SUV struck a barrier head-on in front of the doors of police headquarters.
Another officer shot driver Jon Routh to stop the vehicle, perhaps saving Priebe's life.
Priebe's spinal cord was damaged and he now uses a wheelchair.
In rehab when someone mentioned the Gary Sinise Foundation
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The friends and supporters of former Springfield police officer Mark Priebe and his family left messages of encouragement and kindness in the family’s soon-to-be home in Republic, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Katie Taranto) -
Former Springfield police officer Mark Priebe poses for a portrait during the Walls of Honor ceremony hosted by the Gary Sinise Foundation in Republic, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Priebe’s friends and family wrote supportive messages on the walls of his soon-to-be smart home before further construction. (Photo by Katie Taranto) -
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(Photo by Steve Pokin) -
(Photo by Steve Pokin) -
(Photo by Steve Pokin) -
(Photo by Steve Pokin) -
Capitol Police Chief Zim Schwartze writes a supportive message in the Priebe family’s soon-to-be home during the Walls of Honor ceremony in Republic, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. About 140 people attended the ceremony, which was hosted by the Gary Sinise Foundation. (Photo by Katie Taranto) -
(Photo by Steve Pokin) -
Josh Vance leads a group prayer during the Walls of Honor ceremony, wishing the Priebe family joy and comfort in their soon-to-be smart home in Republic, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Katie Taranto) -
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Supporters of the Priebe family choose markers to write messages on the walls of the family’s soon-to-be home in Republic, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Katie Taranto) -
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American flags line the driveway of the Priebe family’s soon-to-be smart home, currently under construction through the Gary Sinise Foundation in Republic, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The house will be equipped with technology to prioritize accessibility for Mark Priebe, who uses a wheelchair. (Photo by Katie Taranto) -
Priebe was going through rehabilitation in Colorado when someone there suggested to his wife, Heather, that the family contact the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Sinise is an actor who in 2011 established the foundation. It supports veterans, first responders and law enforcement agents.
Priebe's new home is mortgage-free. The national foundation receives donations from individuals and corporations, as well as localized contributions and gifts.
The Priebe home, in a rural area outside of Republic, has an open floor plan, three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is fully equipped with smart technology. The general contractor is Federal Construction, Inc.
It should be completed later this year or in early 2024.
‘May God bless this home and the path ahead'
Some 140 attended what the foundation calls a “Walls of Honor” celebration.
Many were police officers. Priebe now works for the Republic School District as a school safety specialist.
Many were contractors and laborers who have worked on the home, which is under roof, or who will work on it in the near future.
Others are friends and neighbors who know the family.
“You won't find a more generous, better person,” said Chris Lockmiller, principal of Sweeny Elementary in Republic, where the Preibes' two children attended.
“He is always looking to help people,” Lockmiller said.
Kevin Grizzell, a retired Springfield police officer, was present with wife, Dawn.
“We are part of the blue family,” Dawn Grizzell said. “We are part of the police family.”
Simple signs printed on paper marked the future use of the rooms: “Conner's room,” “therapy room,” “laundry room” and “master suite.”
Friends eagerly wrote messages and signed the beams and struts.
“We (heart) you Priebe family!”
“You're an inspiration to us all. Enjoy your family in this new home!”
“May God bless this home and the path ahead.”
‘Your community rallied behind you'
Travis Reynders is the project coordinator. He works with the Gary Sinise Foundation's RISE (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) program.
He noted that it was almost three years to the day that Priebe was injured and his life forever changed.
“Your community rallied behind you in prayer and thought,” Reynders said.
“Today we get together for a different reason — to thank God for those answered prayers and to thank God that you are here,” Reynders said.
“I wish the circumstances in which our paths crossed were different,” he said.
A peaceful setting outside the city
Priebe said his family will sell their current home, about a mile away in the city of Republic, which was partially remodeled after his injury to make the main bedroom and bathroom accessible to him.
In the new home, everything will be accessible.
“Just the space. The lack of stairs. And just being able to get into every room. We can't do that right now.
“Just being able to have that freedom to go and access every area and everything that is in the house.
“Once you get to your cabinets they have pull-down levers to get to your clothes, to get to pots and pans, or plates.
“I don't have to ask somebody to reach for me or do anything. I can do it all independently,” Priebe said.
And then there is the patio.
“I think that will be my hangout — mornings and evenings,” he said.
The house is on 6.5 rural acres outside of Republic city limits.
“Being out here in the country, for us, is something new,” he said. “The peacefulness of it.”
This is Pokin Around column No. 112.
