COVINA — After more than a year of fundraising and preparations, officials this month plan to unveil Covina’s new Police Officer Memorial.
The memorial is to be dedicated at 10 a.m. May 15 at the Covina Police Department, 444 N. Citrus Avenue, Covina police Sgt. Ray Marquez said in a written statement.
Though dedicated to all law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty, it was inspired by the Covina Police Department’s lone fallen officer, Sgt. Scott Hanson, who died July 3, 2006, from injuries suffered in an August, 2003, on-duty car crash, officials said.
That year, Hanson’s memory was honored at the county, state and federal levels.
“However, the community where Scott grew up and worked as a law enforcement officer was left with an obvious void,” according to Marquez. “The Covina Police Department quickly recognized a need for for its own police officer memorial to not only honor Sergeant Scott Hanson, but to also honor and provide a place for the community to reflect on the ultimate sacrifices made by law enforcement professionals in the United States.”
The Covina Police Department Police Officer Memorial Committee was formed, which partnered with Pasadena architect Douglas Ewing to create the design for the monument, officials said.
A fundraising campaign began in May of 2012, and about $50,000 in donations poured in from private citizens, businesses, other law enforcement agencies, retired police officers and others, Marquez said. A golf tournament co-hosted by the Covina Chamber of Commerce was also instrumental in making the memorial a reality.
In addition to money, in-kind donations were also received, Marquez said. Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, for example, donated cash, as well as a bronze, three-dimensional art piece that will be incorporated into the design.
“All members of the Covina Police Department are proud for what this monument represents and we hope the public shared the same sentiment,” the sergeant added.
For more information, the Covina Police Department can be reached at 626-384-5595.