FORT WORTH, Texas – September 12, 2007 – City and community leaders took the first official step yesterday toward making a multi-year dream become reality – breaking ground for the creation of the Fort Worth Police and Firefighters Memorial. Located on the north end of Trinity Park along West Seventh Street, the memorial will serve as a destination where the public can pay their respects and honor the City's fallen police, firefighters and peace officers killed in the line of duty.

Mayor Mike Moncrief delivered a heartfelt address, thanking the united fundraising efforts of the memorial committee. The Mayor also recognized the major $200,000 donation by Devon Energy, the largest natural gas producer in the Barnett Shale, which put the Committee over its $1.2 million mark to begin construction on the historic memorial. Brad Foster, Devon's Central Division vice president and general manager, was on hand to formally present the check to the Mayor and help commemorate the activities.

Also joining the Mayor for the ceremonial event were Police Chief Ralph Mendoza, Fire Chief Rudy Jackson, City Marshall Jessie Hernandez, as well as other city, community and business leaders. Several families of fallen heroes, along with those who donated to the cause, were also in attendance.

With the necessary funds obtained to begin building the memorial, efforts of local architectural firm Gideon Toal and chosen artist Jack Wilson will get underway. The memorial will occupy approximately five acres of the park, and will complement the historic music, theatre court and fountain built by the WPA in 1935. The displays and paths will be illuminated for 24 hour operation and the site will be planted with more than 100 new trees. Sixty tons of cut West Texas limestone will comprise the stone elements. For more information about the Fort Worth Police and Fire Memorial, visit http://www.cfwfallenheroes.org.

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