(Dallas) – The first anniversary of the Dallas police shooting brings
memories of a tragic night for the Dallas Police Department, DART and El
Centro College. El Centro has scheduled a memorial event to honor the
officers who died that night, those who were wounded (including two El
Centro police officers, Cpl. Bryan Shaw and Officer John Abbott) and all
of those officers who responded.
The event will be held at 11 a.m. on Fri., July 7, in the Student Center.
“The program will focus on renewal and how we should reflect on the
importance of community building,” said Dr. Jose Adames, El Centro’s
president.
Adames will lead the tribute, and two additional speakers will address
students, employees and community members who are invited to participate
that morning. A piece of student artwork will be unveiled at the end of
the ceremony – an installation which is the conceptual rendering of a
tree – in a neutral shade – with images projected on its branches; those
images represent “What El Centro means to me.”
The college also will commission a commemorative sculpture which will be completed during the fall 2017 semester.
“We are partnering with Tribute 7/7 organizers in Dallas because we want
to demonstrate our commitment to remembering the tragedy of July 7,”
said Adames. “One year later, we are focused on building relationships
with the community and police, as we mark that night, also remembering
that we are #ElCentroStrong.”
The focus of Tribute 7/7, an organization led by the Dallas Police
Department and other law enforcement associations, is to thank the
community for its support of law enforcement and to encourage more
communication between them.
Tribute 7/7 is planning an evening of remembrance on July 7, beginning
at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza, which will remain open until 10 p.m.
for the community to gather and share memories of the 2016 events; show
support to officers and their families who attend; and celebrate the
officers who were lost that night.
Tribute 7/7 is part of a Weekend of Honor, July 7-9, in Dallas which
will feature festivities and ceremonies honoring those individuals who
have sacrificed their lives for the protection of others. For more
information about Tribute 7/7, visit www.tribute77.org (link is external).
For more information about El Centro’s memorial program on July 7, contact Priscilla Staley at pstaley@dcccd.edu or Amy Loftis at amy.loftis@dcccd.edu.