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Fallen Heroes
The Odessa Peace Officers Memorial Foundation presented its monument in honor and memory of the five fallen Odessa Police Department officers:
- Corporal John Scott Gardner
- Corporal Arlie "Lee" Jones Jr.
- Corporal Abel Renteria Marquez
- Officer Scott Stanton Smith
- Corporal Gordon Terry Toal
Since October of 2007, the Foundation worked very diligently to raise money to build a monument in memory of the officers that were ambushed in September of 2007 while responding to a domestic disturbance. The monument would also honor the two Odessa Motorcycle Officers who died in the line of the duty during the 1980s.
With the help of generous donators, fund raising efforts and volunteers, the Foundation's dream became a reality.
Monument Description
The monument, a statue of Saint Michael the Archangel with a fallen officer, was dedicated on September 3, 2010, and sits on the front lawn of the Odessa Police Department.
Mr. Paul Tadlock of Gruene, Texas sculpted the statue. It sits atop a 3 foot granite base with bronze name plates of the fallen officers. 4 beautiful benches, air brushed with the fallen officers badges, also adorn the lawn.
Fallen Heroes
Corporal John (Scott) Gardner
- End of Watch: September 8, 2007
- Age: 30
- Tour of Duty: 4 Years, 5 Months
- Badge Number: 486
- Corporal John "Scott" Gardner Officer Down Memorial Page
Corporal Gardner served with the agency for just over 4 years and had previously served as an animal control officer.
To see a video in remembrance of Corporal John Scott Gardner, CLICK HERE.
Corporal Arlie Jones
- End of Watch: September 8, 2007
- Age: 48
- Tour of Duty: 23 Years
- Badge Number: 474
- Corporal Arlie Jones Officer Down Memorial Page
Corporal Jones served with the Odessa Police Department for 23 years.
To see a video in remembrance of Corporal Arlie Jones, CLICK HERE.
Corporal Abel Marquez
- End of Watch: September 12, 2007
- Age: 32
- Tour of Duty: 7 Years, 1 Month
- Badge Number: 422
- Corporal Abel Marquez Officer Down Memorial Page
Corporal Marquez served with the Odessa Police Department for 7 years.
To see a video in remembrance of Corporal Abel Marquez, CLICK HERE.
Officer Scott Smith
- End of Watch: February 6, 1988
- Age: 25
- Tour of Duty: 3 Years
- Badge Number: 570
- Officer Scott Smith Officer Down Memorial Page
Officer Smith died of injuries he sustained when his motorcycle was struck by a motor vehicle as he responded to a burglary in progress call. Officer Smith lived on life support for 6 months after the incident. He was assigned to the Traffic Division.
Officer Smith had been with the agency for 3 years and is survived by his wife, 2 daughters, and parents.
To see a video in remembrance of Officer Scott Smith, CLICK HERE.
Corporal Gordon Terry Toal
- End of Watch: August 19, 1982
- Age: 36
- Tour of Duty: 2 Years
- Badge Number: 410
- Corporal Gordon Terry Toal Officer Down Memorial Page
Officer Toal was killed in a motorcycle accident while performing a funeral escort. He was assigned to the Traffic Division.
To see a video in remembrance of Corporal Gordon Terry Toal, CLICK HERE.