Houston Police Officer's Memorial facts for kids
Western view of the memorial
|
|
| Coordinates | 29°45′53″N 95°22′36″W / 29.764628°N 95.376712°W |
|---|---|
| Location | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Designer | Jesus Bautista Moroles |
| Material | Granite |
| Length | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Width | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Height | 12.5 ft (3.8 m) |
| Opening date | 1991 |
| Dedicated to | Houston Police Department Fallen Officers |
The Houston Police Officers Memorial is a special monument in Houston, Texas. It was built in 1991 to remember and honor police officers from the Houston Police Department who have given their lives while doing their job. This large sculpture is made of granite and was designed by a famous artist named Jesús Bautista Moroles. It's a place where people can go to show respect for these brave officers.
Contents
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial is shaped like a Greek cross. It measures about 120 feet (36.5 meters) long and 120 feet (36.5 meters) wide. In the middle of the cross, there is a stepped pyramid that rises up.
Pyramid Design
The arms of the cross are also made of stepped pyramids. But these pyramids are sunk into the ground. Each of these sunken pyramids is 40 feet (12 meters) on each side. The central pyramid stands 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) tall. The sunken pyramids are also 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) deep.
The Reflecting Pool
At the very top of the central pyramid, there is a beautiful pink granite reflecting pool. This pool has the names of more than 100 police officers carved into it. These are the officers who died while serving the city. There is also a smaller reflecting pool near the parking lot. This is for visitors who might find it hard to climb to the top of the main monument.
Honoring Officers
The memorial is always watched over by police officers. Every year, a special ceremony is held here. This event helps everyone remember and honor the fallen police officers. It's a way to thank them for their courage and service.
History of the Memorial
Work to raise money for this important sculpture started in 1985. Many groups and people helped by giving money. Some of these supporters included the Knox Foundation and the Cullen Foundation. Other big helpers were the Fayez Sarofim and Company and the Rockwell Fund.
Key Supporters
The Brown Foundation and the M.D. Anderson Foundation also contributed. The Scurlock Foundation and the Neva and Wesley West Foundation were also very generous. Albert and Margaret Alkek were also important donors. Their support helped make the memorial a reality.
