Vidas recordadas

The sculptural monument is a symbolic narrative of lives lost and remembered, of the ideals of service and dedication, and of transitions between the historical past, the present, and the future. The past and the present, those lives gone and those remaining, are acknowledged here in this Memorial Wall. It honors a long tradition of service, from the historical past of the 19th century to the ever-present moment, a service that goes forward with unwavering commitment. The historical past of Tucson is represented by the bronze still-life of a hat, holster, gun, and marshals badge. The present is seen in the sculpture of the dog; from ancient time the dog has been a symbol of fidelity, protection, and loyalty. The seated female figure is symbolic of transitions in life and offers a pathway to memory. She holds a Tucson Police Department eight-point cap, which is of the present, and she releases a dove, a symbolic messenger between Earth and Heaven. We are left with memories we need to and wish to honor and sustain; this Memorial Wall is a companion to memory.