The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation, has announced the development of a Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza. The project will honor deputies who made the ultimate sacrifice and serve as a place of remembrance, healing, and connection for the community.
“Our current memorial has served us well as a solemn site of reflection,” said Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, “but we dream of something more—a memorial that doesn’t just sit apart from us but welcomes us in. A space that invites families and neighbors to gather, grieve, and find peace together. The new Memorial Plaza will be open, inviting, and woven into the fabric of our community. It will stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of the deputies who protected us and the community that stands behind them.”
Making the Memorial Plaza a focal point in front of the Sheriff’s Office will reinforce its symbolic importance. This newly designed space will offer a place where memories are shared, grief is met with support, and we can all come together to appreciate those who sacrificed their lives for our safety. This plaza will allow for larger gatherings, events, and moments of collective reflection, making it a place for everyone to feel connected to the legacy of these heroes.
“The Foundation Board is deeply honored to support the creation of this Memorial Plaza,” said Foundation President Whitney C. Lucas. “This project embodies our commitment to honoring the brave heroes of the Sheriff’s Office. We believe this plaza will be a welcoming space of remembrance that invites citizens to connect with their Sheriff’s Office while focusing on the shared values that keep our community strong.”
“I think one of the bigger things is that no tax dollars are going to be used,” the sheriff said on “Real News with Rick Outzen” this morning. “The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation doing a fantastic job of raising money and pushing the sheriff’s office and our engagement. The plan is to sell the pavers only on the plaza side. We will start shortly by bringing some information out on how people can support this Memorial Plaza by purchasing a brick that will stay there forever.”
A public groundbreaking ceremony is planned for January 2025, and the project’s final completion is slated for April of that year.
