Richmond’s trailblazing firefighter, Captain Harvey Hicks, stands among the heroes honored at the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial. As Richmond’s first Black fire captain, Hicks’s name is etched alongside 963 other brave Virginians who gave their lives in service.
A Decade of Remembrance: The Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial Turns 10
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. The memorial wall, located in Capitol Square, pays tribute to fallen law enforcement officers, EMS workers, and firefighters.
Since its dedication in 2014, the number of names on the wall has grown from 850 to 964. Each name represents a life given in service to Virginia’s communities.
Breaking Barriers: Captain Harvey Hicks’s Legacy
Captain Harvey Hicks’s name on the memorial represents more than just a life lost. It symbolizes a barrier broken and a path paved for future generations of Black firefighters in Richmond.
His placement on the wall is significant. It serves as a reminder of the progress made in diversifying public safety roles. Hicks’s legacy continues to inspire new recruits in the fire service.
Honoring the Fallen: The Engraving Process
Justin Bishop, owner of Bishop Stone and Metal Arts, is responsible for engraving new names on the memorial. This year, he will add 27 names to the wall.
Bishop understands the gravity of his work. He says, “It’s something that’s the, you know, sort of a period on people’s lives. You know, the very final thing that honors them in a way, so that means a lot to me. I take it very seriously.”
A Personal Connection: Captain William Spindle Reflects
For Richmond Fire Marshal Captain William Spindle, the memorial holds deep personal significance. His cousin, TyVaugh Eldridge, is among the names being added this year.
Spindle reflects on the memorial’s impact: “This wall can bring more people together and to remember. And then make sure that, of all, above all things, that we don’t forget.”
The Ongoing Sacrifice of Public Safety Officers
Of the 27 new names being added, 24 are firefighters, two are law enforcement officers, and one is an EMS worker. These additions underscore the ongoing risks faced by public safety professionals.
Terry Cole, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security for Virginia, emphasizes the importance of the memorial. “These are true heroes that are behind us,” he says. “I spend a lot of time out here, personally, just coming and looking at the names that are on the wall and remembering their sacrifice.”
The Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by Virginia’s public safety officers. It honors heroes like Captain Harvey Hicks, who not only served but also broke barriers in their fields.
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