A memorial ceremony was held on Sunday to honor four journalists killed last summer when their helicopters collided above Phoenix.
The memorial honors ABC15 pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak, along with 3TV pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox, who lost their lives on July 27, 2007.
The collision occurred while the four were covering a police chase through central Phoenix.
The memorial was dedicated on Sunday morning, the one-year anniversary of the crash.
Close family, friends, Mayor Phil Gordon, and the companies that contributed to the construction of the memorial, including PFG construction, gathered at the memorial site to honor the fallen men.
ABC15's Kaley O'Kelley opened the ceremony by recognizing the memorial as a "sanctuary for our family, our friends, and our community."
O'Kelley thanked everyone involved in the construction of the memorial including PFG construction for their generosity. "We now have a lasting tribute to the four men who lost their lives."
PFG Construction said it has been their privilege to pay tribute to the four men.
The memorial continued by recognizing each family individually.
"Thank you to the construction company and everyone for their support," said Leslie Bowerbank,
mother of Scott.
The family of Jim Cox said, "Our family continues to be overwhelmed by the support." Cox's family remembered the pictures from children, notes, flowers, porcelain angels, hand carved crosses, and cards that were left for Jim and the other men.
"We give a heartfelt thanks to Phoenix for the site of the crash and PFG for donating time, materials, and labor of love to complete the memorial."
Cox's family started the
James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photographers to provide financial support to student photographers of high school and college age. They are awarding the first scholarship on this anniversary.
The sons of Rick Krolak also attended the ceremony. However, his first son could not attend with his wife because this time also marks the one year anniversary of the loss of their 5-year-old daughter who passed away less than 24 hours before the death of Rick.
Krolak's other two sons thanked ABC15, 3TV, and PFG Construction for their hard work and dedication.
Krolak's youngest son said, "I hope when people come here it is not to remember the tragedy."
Instead, he hopes it to be a celebration of their lives.
Craig Smith's niece, Ashley, said, "Thanks to all who are involved in making this great memorial possible."
Ashley continued, "It gives us great comfort that all of you came here today. We all love and miss you Craig."
Phoenix Fire Chief Bob Kahn remembered last summer as a dark moment. Officer George Cortez, Jr. lost his life in the line of duty on the same day.
Firefighter Mark Carter and Officer Nick Erfle
also lost their lives last summer and were remembered.
"We all like to remember to tell their story," said Kahn. "This is a special place for us to remember."
Kahn also thanked the families who lost a loved one.
Mayor Phil Gordon remembered the fallen. "These are friends of ours," he said.
"We invited them into our homes everyday. Seeing their smiles brought comfort to us."
The mayor went on to say, "We lost four friends, four talented professionals." He recognized the grief, admiration, and respect for the men.
Gordon gave thanks to everyone in the community who continues to show support and remember the men.
"This city is large, but has the small town value. This memorial reflects that. So many have come together to make this memorial and a tribute to our friends. Their lives will continue to go on in our hearts and in yours."
Keeping with the overall theme of the park, the design of the memorial utilizes colored concrete, exposed aggregate and polished concrete.
The final plaque was laid on the memorial on Thursday.
A circular plaza has the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee Jr., sandblasted into it to remember the four men:
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high un trespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
- John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Ash trees were planted at each individual crash site and the plaza will be surrounded by four ash trees.
The memorial was built with the generous help of PFG Construction, a company that volunteered to help in any way possible by offering supplies and man power directly after the crash.
The below businesses also donated generously to the memorial:
PFG Construction
2801 W. Willetta Street
Phoenix, AZ 85009
602 272-6911
pfgconstruction.com
Outhouse
11226 N. 23rd Ave. Suite 101
Phoenix, AZ 85029
602 258-0429
outhouse.net
Maricopa Readymix Concrete Company
5745 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite B110
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
480 607-3999
maricopareadymix.com
PMA Photometals
3040 N. 27th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85017
602 278-7800
Photometals.com
Allstate Rent a Fence, Inc.
210 S. 55th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85043
602 223-1433
Sullivan Builders
12601 N. Cave Creek Road
Phoenix, AZ 85022
602 443-0303
Sullivanbuilderaz.com
Manhard Consulting LTD
14505 N. Hayden Road, Suite 34D
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480 946-5550
manhard.com
Simply Structural Inc.
2929 N. 44th Street, Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85013
602 443-0303
simplystructural.com
Westar Environmental
P.O. Box 1749
Higley, AZ 85236
480 279-1515
westarevironmental.com
Ace Sandblasting, Inc.
725 E. 7th Place
Mesa, AZ 85201
480 967-4250
Discount Steel
2816 E. Jones, Suite 1
Phoenix, AZ 85040
602 268-4522
