THE PROJECT: MEMORIAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER VANPOPERING.
April 2011
After several years of working to raise funds for a permanent memorial to the only East Grand Rapids officer to die in the line of duty, the Public Safety Department is finally moving forward to construct the memorial. The City Commission recently approved the creation and installation of a stone monument in Gaslight Village that will be unveiled on July 4, 2011.
Late on the evening of July 4, 1994, Public Safety Officer Bruce VanPopering was directing post-fireworks traffic at the corner of Lake Drive and Bagley when he was struck by a drunk driver. While his initial injuries were not life-threatening, PSO VanPopering developed complications while in the hospital and passed away two weeks later from a blood clot. His death was very hard on the fellow members of the department he had served for 23 years. There was talk of creating some type of lasting memorial for quite some time, and one of the officers eventually sketched out an idea and a proposal began to take shape.
Members of the department had a banner made up for the front of the building and began collecting donations each summer on the anniversary of the accident. Two years ago, the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation began working with the Public Safety Department to solidify the costs for the proposed memorial and find a way to make the project happen. Finally in 2010, a final concept emerged and work began to find an artist to create the memorial. The City Commission authorized the project in March 2011 and awarded a contract to a local artist to create the monument.
The total cost of $11,000 includes the design, construction, installation and the casting of bronze plaque with Officer VanPopering's dates of service. The Public Safety Department has raised over $4,400 toward this project, and the EGR Community Foundation has made a commitment to raise the remaining funds.
Members of the community are invited to join the Foundation is supporting this worthy project. Tax-deductible contributions can be made online at www.egrcf.org or by sending a check to the EGR Community Foundation, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
