by Kathy Eide Casas

In the heart of Fresno County, a new memorial is taking shape that will serve as a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who have given their lives in service to our community. The Fresno Sheriff Memorial, currently under construction at the Fresno County Sheriff Area Two Substation in southeast Fresno, is set to open to the public later this year, providing a place for reflection, remembrance, and education.

This project is a heartfelt tribute to those constables, deputies, and correctional officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The Memorial will feature the Wall of Honor, where the names of the fallen will be forever displayed, ensuring that their memory endures for generations to come. It will stand as a beacon of solemn remembrance for all who visit and a testament to the selflessness of those who serve and protect.

Former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims shared her personal perspective on the importance of this Memorial. “During my 16 years as Sheriff, I was privileged to serve the over one-million residents of our county. However, undeniably, the most painful times were when we lost members of our extended Sheriffs’ family. There is no harder call to make than the one to notify a family member that their loved one will not be coming home.”

Mims continued, emphasizing the significance of the Memorial as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily: “Amid the texts, emails, and calendar invites of daily living, it’s all too easy to take our law enforcement’s sacrifices for granted. We often overlook the inherent dangers they face; the risks they willingly shoulder to keep us safe.”

The Memorial will offer a space for the public to pause, reflect, and honor the lives of these heroes. “This Memorial will stand as a testament to their valor, a tangible reminder of the price paid for our collective safety and security,” Mims stated. “Each name etched into the Wall of Honor will tell a story of courage, selflessness, and dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”

Mims also made a call to action, encouraging the community to not only honor the fallen but to support those who continue to serve on the front lines. “It is incumbent upon us, as members of this community, to stand united in our gratitude, to extend a hand of support to all those in law enforcement, including all of our deputies, those who safeguard our courts, correctional officers who guard the prisoners, lobby personnel in the jail, dispatchers who answer the calls, our Chaplains who provide prayer and comfort in the most trying of times, and all of our volunteers from Search and Rescue and all units, who selflessly give their time in service to the Fresno Sheriff’s office, to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

The Memorial is just one part of this unique and ambitious project that will eventually include a Heritage Center, where Fresno County students and visitors will learn about the history of law enforcement in the county. The second phase of the project will focus on education, ensuring that future generations understand the significance of the Memorial and the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers throughout history. The Heritage Center will also provide a place where Fresno County students can ‘solve’ crimes by learning through hands-on technology and ultimately, one day, develop an interest in law enforcement as a career.

Please follow the progress of the Fresno Sheriff Memorial as the construction continues toward completion at fresnosheriffmemorial.org or follow on FB at Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation.

Kathy Eide Casas is a valley native and has been involved in politics, public policy and public relations her entire career. From the U. S. and state capitols to local projects, she has been a guiding force. Most recently, Eide-Casas completed the writing for two U Turns Allowed magazines, benefiting Focus Forward. Additionally, her work has run in several other local publications, including Valley Health Magazine.