Kathy Sinnott, PhD
As I write this, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 54 is the number of total law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty since 2024 began. So, what is 54? It’s far too many of our nation’s heroes who sacrificed for our freedom and safety. And, as summer knocks on our doorstep, many folks will enjoy the longer days, warm breezes, and amazing sunsets. Yet, 54 families will be reeling from an unimaginable loss.
As the AZ Heroes Memorial continues to be built, every day of my tenure on the board reminds me how this landmark stands for the essence of these 54 unsung heroes who sustain our nation’s legacy, along with the heroes of those professions for which the Memorial pays tribute. The AZ Heroes Memorial is not only for the heroes within Arizona. This site is for all those heroes (and their families) throughout the nation who served dutifully. The Memorial commemorates their courage and stewardship. This site will be a place for their families and friends to visit in order to remember the greatest gifts these heroes bestowed upon us. With that in mind, consider planning a visit to the Memorial site in Naranja Park later this year.
We’ll continue to update you with the progress of the build. In the meantime, visit our website at azheroesmemorial.org, our YouTube channel (#AHMCommunity), and consider a Forever Brick (bricksrus.com/donorsite/arizonaheroesmemorialinc). But, most of all, please take time to remember these heroes and their families who gave it all for all of us.