On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives protecting our freedom and our safety, both overseas and close to home. This includes many courageous and dedicated police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
We have been privileged to help design many police stations and police headquarters around the country. Some communities choose to include a memorial to fallen officers at their police facilities, either within the building or on the site. We have helped communities and police departments create a variety of very successful memorials—some public and open to all, and others more private and accessible only to those serving on the police force.
Both types of memorials should be approached thoughtfully and early on in the planning process, in order to integrate the location carefully within the overall facility or site plan. The memorial, be it internally or externally focused, must be integrated into the building design, materials palette, and architectural vernacular, as well as reinforce the police department's philosophy and mission. A successful memorial is emotional and reflective.
Reflection and Remembrance
The Killeen Police Headquarters in Texas, recently featured in the AIA's Justice Facility Review, is a good example. Here, the Killeen police chief wanted to be sure that all visitors to the headquarters facility could experience the memorial.
We selected a prominent location on the site, and designed a semi-circle of pedestals made from local lueders limestone.
Each memorial's honed tops engraved with inspirational words such as Honor, Trust, Loyalty, and Integrity. Recessed black granite slabs at the base can be engraved with the names of fallen officers. A recessed light fixture near the base of each pedestal eternally illuminates the name of the fallen officer, recognizing and paying homage for the ultimate sacrifice.
The site plan and landscape design were carefully composed to complement the array of pedestals, ensuring visibility and accessibility. The memorial stands as an enduring tribute to the community's fallen officers, and a quiet place for reflection and remembrance.
Honoring the Past, Positioning for the Future
Our police heroes are deserving of such carefully planned and design memorials. Communities that are considering this important gesture should be sure to plan ahead, ensuring that memorials are included in the planning stages and reflected in the budget. These tributes shouldn't be an afterthought—they are much too important. We strive to frame our police projects and design with the thought of "honoring the past while positioning for the future." That starts with a discussion regarding a memorial and one around which the design solution evolves, be it officer-focused or community-focused.