COLUMBUS—The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) today dedicated the first statewide memorial to Ohio's police officers and firefighters. The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund Memorial Park honors police officers and firefighters from throughout the state who have fallen in the line of duty, and serves as a lasting tribute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for others.

"The Memorial Park is the first memorial of its kind in the state to serve a permanent tribute to the heroic contributions that Ohio's police officers and firefighters make to our communities,� said William J. Estabrook, OP&F Executive Director. �The support from throughout the state to make this project a reality has been truly overwhelming."

The Memorial Park is adjacent to OP&F headquarters at 140 E. Town St. in downtown Columbus. The centerpiece of the park is a life-size bronze sculpture depicting a police officer and firefighter together with a child. The sculpture was created by Ronald Dewey, a nationally respected artist and owner of Light Sculpture Works in Cleveland.

The park was built entirely with private funds raised by the Ohio Police & Fire Memorial Park, a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Estabrook called the fundraising campaign a tremendous success, raising a total of $285,075, including $212,000 raised from corporate sponsors and $73,075 raised from the purchase of 315 engraved bricks and pavers and six engraved granite benches permanently located in the park.

Estabrook also said that the Memorial Park presents an ongoing opportunity for individuals or organizations to show support or honor a particular police or fire hero as bricks and pavers will continue to be available for purchase. More information is available by calling 1-888-864-8363 or by visiting OP&F's website at www.op-f.org. Photos of the Memorial Park and the dedication ceremony are also available on the OP&F website.

OP&F is one of five state pension funds in Ohio, with assets of $9 billion. Created in 1965 as a result of an act passed by the Ohio General Assembly, OP&F is a multi-employer pension fund serving over 50,000 members.

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Contact: Dave Graham (614) 628-8396, dgraham@op-f.org