Plans moving forward to build law enforcement memorial at Soldiers Field Park

After years of discussion, plans are now being drawn up to build a memorial in Rochester dedicated to the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in law enforcement.

Last fall, the Rochester Park Board approved a proposal to build the law enforcement memorial at Soldiers Field Park — just west of the existing veteran memorial. The display, to be constructed and maintained using private funds, will honor law enforcement agencies from across southeast Minnesota.

"The men and women of law enforcement (and we consider our detention staff and the folks at facilities like FMC, law enforcement officers, too) have chosen a profession that is a calling and a profession that is very difficult," Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson told us in an email. "These people — your friends in some cases, neighbors to others, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, etc. — deserve to be remembered for the tough work they do."

Torgerson is part of a nonprofit group, Rochester/Olmsted County Law Enforcement Memorial Association, leading the effort to build the memorial. Since getting the park board's approval, the group has established a board of directors, as well as committees responsible for marketing, fundraising and design.

"We need to get a design in place that appeals to all facets of our community to salute these fallen local officers, deputies, troopers, family members, neighbors and friends," said Torgerson, noting the design will also need to complement the veterans memorial.

The project will likely take three to five years before it becomes a reality. Torgerson expects more initiatives related to the project, including a lawn sign campaign, to be announced in the coming months. To learn more about the effort, or to make a donation, you can visit the group's Facebook page.

Cover photo: Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial / Med City Beat