RICHMOND, Va. — This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial, which honors law enforcement members, EMS workers and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
When the wall, which stands in the middle of Capitol Square, was first dedicated in 2014, there were 850 names engraved. Today, there are 964.
Those names include Richmond’s first Black fire captain Harvey Hicks and Hanover County Lieutenant Brad Clark who was hit and killed by a reckless driver in 2018.
Lt. Brad Clark’s colleagues fulfill his dream: ‘He would be in love with this’
This year, 27 new names will be added to the wall, and Hanover native Justin Bishop is responsible for the engraving.
“This worked out really great,” said Bishop.
Engraving has become the owner of Bishop Stone and Metal Arts’ form of art.
“I love it,” said Bishop. “It’s great. I get to see finished product every day.”
He knows his job may be quick, but its impact is lasting.
“It’s something that’s the, you know, sort of a period on people’s lives,” explained Bishop. “You know, the very final thing that honors them in a way, so that means a lot to me. I take it very seriously.”