Two young officers on the city?EUR??,,????'???s SRT team (special response) were fatally wounded by gunfire while serving an arrest warrant. A tragedy of this magnitude had never occurred in this town.

Although some officers had been lost in the line of duty in the past, no incidents had occurred in the last 40 years and all previous losses had been traffic related. The nature of this loss affected the community like no other.

While plans were being developed, fund raising efforts consisting of raffles, auctions and telethons ?EUR??,,????'??+ all of which the design team assisted with ?EUR??,,????'??+ raised over $100,000. A grant from the United States Department of Justice provided an additional $65,000. Our design concepts began to take shape and were then modified to work within the $165,000.00 budget.

An urban site was chosen at the entrance to the city?EUR??,,????'???s public safety complex, adjacent to a plaza space dedicated to the service of the city?EUR??,,????'???s police and fire departments. Concept plans were refined for approval by the committee and the deceased officer?EUR??,,????'???s families.

The memorial design selected was the preferred scheme of the design team. The memorial consists of pools clad in black granite with water quietly sheeting over the edges with an obelisk for each fallen officer in a pool intended to reflect the sky and the tower of a nearby church. A subtle flame floats over the upper pool within a stainless dish, burning in memory of the officers. The flame was a specific request of the families of the fallen officers.

The project was rewarding for the design team, as it was our opportunity to give back to the community. Besides its significance as a memorial, it has become a destination within the city?EUR??,,????'???s downtown revitalization efforts and is a success in facilitating the healing process in the community.

Because of some donated time and materials, the memorial was completed below budget. Remaining funds have been placed within a trust to provide perpetual maintenance. The committee remains intact and is currently coordinating fund raising to supplement the maintenance trust fund.