Prior to the development of the West Bank, the Wichita Police Department had a modest memorial located on McLean Boulevard.  That memorial site was eliminated with the re-routing of McLean Boulevard in the 1990’s.  In 2002, at the direction of Chief Norman Williams and Sheriff Gary Steed, a volunteer committee comprised of members of the community, Wichita Police Department, and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office formed the Law Enforcement Memorial Committee of Sedgwick County, Inc. 

The Law Enforcement Memorial Committee (LEMC) was tasked with building a memorial to honor the twenty-eight (28) local and county law enforcement officers from throughout Sedgwick County who have given their lives while protecting our communities.   

In 2003, the LEMC was granted permission by the Wichita City Council to erect the memorial on the southwest corner of Central and Main. The Committee, through the vision of local artist Constance Ernatt, designed a site plan reflective of the sacrifice the memorial symbolizes.  The Law Enforcement Memorial Committee incorporated as a 501 C3 not-for-profit corporation, and contracted with the Wichita Community Foundation to handle donations and disbursements for the memorial.  We are currently in the midst of fundraising efforts.  To date, approximately $370,000 of the estimated $550,000 project costs have been raised through private and community support.   The LEMC hopes to raise the remaining funds by year’s end, and to break ground in 2008. 

The memorial is designed both to honor law enforcement officers and to be a public work of art.  The centerpiece of the memorial is a life-sized bronze statue of two lions, one male and one female, watching vigilantly over the community.  The lions stand at the base of an eternal flame, comprised of a bronze frame and blue glass.  Behind the wall is a meditation area in which each officer is represented individually a plaque, beneath which is set a pair of bronze boots.  The clay model of the bronze is currently being sculpted and is on display at Ernatt Art and Bronze, located at 424 S. Commerce in the Art District. 

Questions may be addressed to the Board President:  Captain Randal B. Landen, Wichita Police Department, 455 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, phone (316) 268-4201, or Vice-President:  Major James R. Woods, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, 141 West Elm, Wichita, Kansas 67203, phone (316) 383-7711.