Community leaders, first responders, and residents gathered Jan. 29 in downtown Amarillo to mark the start of construction on the Texas Panhandle First Responders Memorial with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site near 11th Avenue and Polk Street.
The memorial is a project of the Friends of AJ Swope, a local nonprofit formed to honor first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty across the Texas Panhandle. Members of the organization’s board of directors and First Responders Advisory Board were joined at the event by working first responders, elected officials, and community supporters.
Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas described the memorial as a space intended for reflection and unity. “This will be a place of reflection,” Thomas said. He noted that the groundbreaking symbolized more than the physical start of construction. “This groundbreaking represents more than construction. It represents unity across agencies, across communities and across generations. While the badge, the uniform or the patch may differ, the mission remains the same: to serve, to protect and to stand in the gap for others.”
Planning for the memorial has been underway for several years. In August 2022, the Friends of AJ Swope signed a $1-a-year lease agreement with the City of Amarillo for the land at the downtown location. Since that time, the nonprofit has focused on fundraising efforts, design planning, and coordination with partners to move the project forward.
Todd Beckum, president of the Friends of AJ Swope board of directors, emphasized the broad community effort behind the memorial. “We are humbled to have this in our city, six counties, across 49 different agencies; something like this cannot be accomplished by a few,” Beckum said. “It has to take an entire community working together.”
Beckum acknowledged the challenges the group faced during the planning and fundraising process, describing moments when the project seemed uncertain. “At times, it seemed like this may not happen. It seemed like an insurmountable task. Seemed like an insurmountable amount of money,” he said. He credited the continued support of the Panhandle community for keeping the project moving forward, noting that donations of all sizes demonstrated widespread commitment to seeing the memorial completed.
The Friends of AJ Swope have partnered with Turner LandArchitects, Sims + Architects, and Southwest General Contractors to design and build the memorial. According to the organization, construction is expected to be completed by October.
Once finished, the memorial will recognize first responders from across the region who died while serving their communities. Thomas said the site will serve as a lasting tribute to their sacrifices. “Not only will you see the names of men and women who gave their all, you will see the fingerprints of God in every part of this blessing,” he said. “This memorial will stand as a permanent reminder of those who answered the call often at a great personal cost so that others might enjoy their safety.”
Organizers say the memorial is intended to be a place where families, colleagues, and community members can gather to remember fallen first responders and reflect on the role they play in public safety. The groundbreaking marked a significant milestone in a multi-year effort, signaling the transition from planning and fundraising to construction and, ultimately, completion of a long-envisioned community landmark.
