'We want to make sure we never forget'

SALEM, Ore. -- Survivors of fallen Oregon State Police troopers used shovels to break ground Wednesday on a memorial honoring troopers killed in the line of duty.

Nearly 150 people gathered at the Oregon Capitol State Park in Salem for the groundbreaking, held on the Oregon State Police Department's 81st anniversary. The memorial is funded entirely by private donations and will be built using northwest produced materials and labor.

Among the attendees were Oregon State Senator Peter Courtney, Senator Ted Ferrioli, representatives Kim Thatcher and Andy Olson as well as former superintendents and representatives from local law enforcement.

Oregon State Police Superintendent Richard Evans spoke at the event, and thanked the people who made the installation of the memorial possible.

"We want to make sure we never forget those who lost their lives serving as Oregon State Police troopers." Evans said.

The memorial site is planned to become a fixture just outside the west entrance to the Public Service building in the Capitol Park. The monument is nearly 17 months in the making. 

Construction will begin after the memorial's $233,000 fundraising goal is reached. OSP said that anyone wishing to contribute to the memorial can make a tax deductible contribution to the "OSP Fallen Trooper Memorial" at any U.S. Bank location or on-line at the memorial's website.