The Escambia County Sheriff’s Foundation has launched an ambitious project to create a Memorial Plaza honoring fallen law enforcement officers, with a groundbreaking scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16. Whitney Lucas, chief of staff at the Sheriff’s Office and foundation president, announced that the project has already raised $175,000 of its $550,000 goal in just 45 days.
“The project is going to be the new focal point for the entrance of the sheriff’s office,” Lucas explained in a recent interview. The plaza will replace an existing memorial that Lucas noted was “really easy to miss” and will feature two distinct areas: a memorial space with names of fallen officers and canines alongside a water feature and a community area with seating for public events.
The foundation offers various donation levels to ensure widespread community participation, including personalized pavers starting at $500. Lucas emphasized that contributions have come from all sectors, including sheriff’s office employees, which she described as particularly heartwarming.
What makes the foundation’s work especially meaningful is its all-volunteer structure. “While I am now chief of staff at the Sheriff’s Office, my foundation work is after hours and on the weekends,” Lucas said. “It really allows us to put a hundred percent of what we raise directly back into our mission.”
Beyond the Memorial Plaza project, the foundation provides crucial support to sheriff’s office employees facing unexpected hardships. Lucas revealed that the foundation recently provided emergency support payments to two employees during the holiday season.
Those interested in contributing to the Memorial Plaza project can contact the foundation at info@escambiacsf.org for donor information. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan.16. The project, set to be completed in the spring, aims to create a lasting tribute to fallen officers while providing a functional community space for sheriff’s office events and gatherings.
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