Matt Conley dad's name, Monty Conley, is engraved on the Tulare County Peace Officer's Memorial. Twenty-eight years have passed since Conley lost his father. The Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy and his partner, Deputy Joe Landin were on their way to check out a narcotics investigation when they were killed in a car crash.
"A lady came off the freeway, never stopped at the stop sign, ended up T-boning them and they both perished at that given time," Conley said.
Losing his dad at 7-years-old is still painful so an investment in the Tulare County Peace Officer's Memorial means a lot.
"To not only honor my father and the people on this wall but those that are to come in the future but it's more a place to reflect of the community to come out and see that those people gave their life in the line of duty," Conley said.
Plans are underway to revamp the memorial, which was first built in 2002 and has hosted the Tulare County Peace Officer's Memorial ceremony. Members of the Peace Officers Memorial and Education Foundation are planning a brick walkway complete with a three-tiered fountain and reflecting area.
The 2,000 bricks will be laid out on all four sides of the memorial so that overhead it will make the formation of a cross
"People can sit there and just have a pleasant area to sit while they pay honor to people who gave the ultimate sacrifice," Sgt. Chris Douglass with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office said.
The bricks can be purchased by the public or business with a personal engraving on them. The fundraiser, along with donated supplies and volunteer work will help alleviate the costs for the $250,000 project.
"It's really special to be able to do that, to go to a place that's maintained and respected," Sgt. Douglass said.
Matt Conley is also a deputy, following in his father's footsteps. He's served with the Tulare County sheriff's office for the last five years.
Organizers hope to break ground on the project by January.
