Marina
On a solemn yet proud day, North Kansas City held the dedication of its new Public Safety Memorial, a monument crafted to honour the ultimate sacrifice made by first responders from both the local police and fire departments.
The memorial, located next to city hall, was unveiled in a ceremony attended by families, fellow officers and community leaders — serving as a powerful reminder of the people behind the uniforms and their bravery in service.
Why the Memorial Was Created
The idea for the memorial emerged in the wake of the line‑of‑duty death of Daniel Vasquez, a police officer who served with North Kansas City’s Police Department.
According to Police Chief Kevin Freeman, the community’s strong response following Vasquez’s death triggered the project. While it began as a tribute to Officer Vasquez, the scope expanded to include all members of the city’s public‑safety services who have died in service. The memorial thus honours both police officers and firefighters from the city.
Who Is Featured on the Memorial
The memorial bears the names of four first responders from both the Police and Fire Departments of North Kansas City:
| Name | Department | Date of Service / Incident Details |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Vasquez | Police Officer | Hired January 4, 2021; killed in the line of duty on July 19, 2022. |
| Dorris Winn Fox | Fire Chief | First Chief of NKC Fire Dept; died April 5, 1935 from injuries sustained in 1934 house‑fire explosion. |
| Mark Skeens | Fire Captain | Joined July 1, 2005; promoted to Captain in 2015; died July 19, 2018 from cancer. |
| William Joseph Harris | Firefighter / Apparatus Operator | Joined February 14, 1995; died November 17, 2013 from cancer. |
These names and their stories are etched into the granite structure and serve as lasting reminders of the risks and sacrifice inherent in public‑safety work.
The Dedication Ceremony
The ceremony took place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6 p.m. at City Hall in North Kansas City. City officials, first‑responder families, and community members gathered to pay their respects.
Fire Chief Daniel Williams relayed the personal stories of each person being honoured, reinforcing the human side of the uniforms. After the formal remarks, attendees placed flowers at the base of the memorial—a simple but meaningful gesture.
Chief Freeman emphasised the mixed emotions of the event: “The end product is beautiful… we hope to never have to use it again,” he said, referring to the design’s built‑in capacity for future names.
Design & Location Details
The memorial is situated on the “south island” of the City Hall parking lot in North Kansas City. The structure features a granite wall or monument, bench seating and lighting, designed to provide a place of reflection and remembrance for the community.
Construction began earlier in the year and the city acknowledged significant progress by September.
Significance for the Community
This memorial holds deep significance for North Kansas City in several ways:
- It recognises and honours the sacrifice of first responders who died protecting the city.
- It provides a public space for reflection, helping families, colleagues and the community come together.
- It strengthens the sense of community respect and remembrance for public safety personnel.
- The fact that it is designed for possible future additions shows the city’s commitment to never forgetting those who serve.
The dedication of the Public Safety Memorial in North Kansas City marks a powerful moment of recognition, gratitude and remembrance.
It ensures that the names and stories of heroic first responders are etched in the community’s memory and gives the public a tangible place to reflect on sacrifice.
While the pain of loss remains, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to those who served and protects the legacy of their courage for generations to come.