SAPD to Unveil Memorial Sculpture Thursday

On Thursday, June 30, 2016, the San Angelo Police Department will unveil a memorial sculpture in front of Police Headquarters on 401 E. Beauregard. The sculpture is a ¾ life sized bronze piece that depicts a male police officer standing with a young girl.

According to SAPD public information officer Tracy Gonzales, “retired Police Sergeant Rusty Herndon initially spearheaded the project and was instrumental with getting the project underway.”

In 2013, the City Council approved moving forward with the project and later commissioned local artist Raul Ruiz to design and sculpt the memorial. Ruiz explained that he ran into Police Chief Tim Vasquez and they discussed the sculpture.

“We met several times and I asked him, ‘What is your vision?’” Ruiz said. “What is it that you would like to see?”

Vasquez requested a design similar to the final product.

Ruiz said, “Some of the officers were really wonderful.” He told San Angelo LIVE! how children and police officers posed for reference for the sculpture.

“First, I had [the officer’s] hand on the pistol,” Ruiz said.” Then Mr. Vasquez came in; he looked at it and studied it, and he said, ‘I think we’ll move his hand to the clip.’ So I moved it to the clip. I think that Mr. Vasquez wanted him ready but relaxed. He’s protecting this child.”

Ruiz said that it was “a great honor” to work on the project. The sculpture took about one year to complete.

The short ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. Gonzales said, and the public is welcome to attend.

To read about Ruiz’s Elmer Kelton statue, check out San Angelo LIVE!’s previous story.