Editor’s note: Morris and Lynn Walker are working to make “150 Years in the Heart of the Valley,” a documentary film about Corvallis’ first 150 years. Each Saturday, they share tidbits from Corvallis that they’ve uncovered during their work. You can contact the Walkers at heartofthevalley@yahoo.com.

By Morris and Lynn Walker
Columnists

Greek mythology refers to Themis as the Goddess of Justice. Many statues of Themis have been created around the world, and ever-present on these statues is a blindfold.

The Goddess of Justice came to Corvallis in 1888, in the form of an 8-foot-tall statue that still stands watch over the Benton County Courthouse. She was manufactured by a leading maker of stamped metal statuary in Ohio in the late 19th century. Themis is believed to be the last remaining example of exterior courthouse statuary in the Willamette Valley.

When Themis arrived in Corvallis to be hoisted onto her pedestal, many observers were surprised to see that she did not have the traditional blindfold. But the presiding judge declared: “We don’t want justice to be blind in Benton County,” and that was good enough for everyone.

Working to live up to the standards of justice symbolized by Themis are lawyers, judges and law-enforcement officers such as Corvallis Chief of Police Gary Boldizsar. Boldizsar has been serving this community since 1985. He was a police officer and served in many other positions with the Police Department until 2003, when he became the chief of police. Chief Boldizsar heads up a department that is on duty around the clock.

The people who help to bring justice to Corvallis deserve our deepest gratitude for the fact that justice is not blind here. And the spirit of Themis still is tangible.