SAPD Presents Memorial Statue to Public

Today, an audience gathered in front of the San Angelo Police Headquarters, 401 E. Beauregard, as the department dedicated a memorial statue.

The ceremony began with a prayer from SAPD Chaplain Matthew Honeycutt. In his prayer, he thanked God for those who made the statue a reality, those who have lost family members in the line of duty, and those in law enforcement as a whole.

“Especially today, we are thankful for the men and woman of law enforcement in this community, and in this county and beyond,” Honeycutt said. “We are thankful, oh God, for their commitment, for their dedication, and for their sacrifice. We pray, Lord, that this statue would be a symbol and a reminder of fidelity and of duty, but, above all, a reminder of love. Your love for us reflected in the way that we are called to love one another.”

Chief Tim Vasquez then introduced Sgt. Rusty Herndon, who he said “played a very vital role in making this movement and getting this started.”

According to Herndon, he came up with the idea for the sculpture a night that he was on patrol in front of City Hall. He saw the bronze statue of a fireman at City Hall, and saw there was a space on the other side of the staircase.

“I felt like that void needed to be filled by a police officer,” Herndon said. “Sixteen years later, we finally got one. I hope you’re pleased with what you see today. We went through a lot of different designs, spoke with a lot of people, but this was meant to be specifically a tribute--a tribute to all of us who have served, all those [who] gave their lives in the line of their job and those [who] will serve in the future.”

The monument was paid for by the public through fundraisers. However, SAPD officials are still looking for donors to help pay the statue off.

“You know, I think that as we look across our country and we see communities at odds with their defenders, we’re so blessed to live in the community of San Angelo and not have the issues that Baltimore and Ferguson and those type of places face,” Vasquez said.” It’s because of the relationships that we’ve built with our citizens. But the citizens love the organization; they love the police department; and they’re very proud of the officers [who] serve.”

According to Vasquez, the statue’s position in front of the police department is “hopefully” temporary.

“If we do build a new police station in the near future, [we’re] working with architects we have discussed finding a place in the area outside, a private space for the officers to have a place to sit and reflect.

Although the department has not named the statue yet, they hope to name it soon, and are hoping to have the public’s help in the process. Vasquez mentioned that the anniversary of Korby Kennedy’s death was less than a week ago, and the community has lost three officers in the line of duty.

“Every day when I see this, I will remember them and I will also remember the men and woman who currently serve and risk their lives for us every day,” Vasquez said.

For more about Kennedy’s prayer vigil, check out San Angelo LIVE!’s previous article.

The statue’s sculptor, local artist Raul Ruiz, then said his piece concerning the dedication. He began by thanking those involved in the sculpture, including City Council, who approved the project. He also thanked Vasquez, Herndon, SAPD Assistant Chief Jeff Fant, and God Himself for their contribution to the finished product.

“I hope today you will like what we’ve come up with, the little girl and the officer who has his hand on her shoulder, like maybe [he's]] protecting her in some way,’’ Ruiz said. “She’s got a little trusting look on him and he’s watching out for her.”

Ruiz donated a small maquette of the statue to the police department.

“I believe that this has been a wonderful project, and I hope that there will be many years of enjoyment for it,” Ruiz said.

The department then unveiled the statue and presented it to the community.

 “[Ruiz] went above and beyond getting this thing to be something special for our department and our city,” Fant said. “We really owe him a round of applause for the work that he’s done.”

Consult San Angelo LIVE! for more about Ruiz’s involvement in the project or Ruiz’s Elmer Kelton sculpture in the library.