Tempe seeking donations for construction of memorial to honor fallen first responders
Sep 16, 2014, 6:36 AM | Updated: 6:36 am
TEMPE, Arizona — The city of Tempe is seeking donations for a memorial that will honor the city’s fallen first responders.
Tempe Police Lt. Mike Pooley said the memorial, which will be erected at the entrance of Tempe Beach Park at Tempe Town Lake, will serve as a place to pay respect to those who have fallen in the line of duty in Tempe.
“It’s just an opportunity for our officers and our firefighters to have a place where we know that our community really appreciates the work that we do — where they can show their gratitude,” he said.
The memorial will include recognition of five officers, one firefighter and two K-9s that lost their lives serving Tempe, Pooley said. He added that the city will solicit donations for the memorial during the next six months. Mayor Mark Mitchell and the Tempe City Council approved up to $175,000 in matching funds for the project.
After the donation period, Pooley said the city will begin looking at proposals from local artists to design the memorial.
The city expects to debut the memorial on Sept. 11, 2016.
Donations to the project can be made by visiting tempepolicefoundation.org.