Cerritos commission reports Tribute to Public Safety nearly complete; two engraved walls pending installation

The Fine Arts and Historical Commission reported that the City of Cerritos’ Tribute to Public Safety sculpture ensemble is approximately 95% complete and on track for final installation steps.

Kathy, a city staff member, said the artwork was created by Gary Alsom of Loveland, Colorado, and the plaza layout was designed by John Kinkade of the National Sculptors Guild. She said the project was initiated by the commission in 2017 and that the City Council approved the final design and funding in February 2022. The project was funded through the Arts in Public Places program and is part of the city’s permanent collection owned and maintained by the City of Cerritos.

The presentation described three principal bronze figures: a female deputy sculpted at about 110% of life size (approximately 76 inches tall), a canine deputy and his partner dog at roughly 110% of life size (about 82 inches tall), and a firefighter sculpted at about 110% (roughly 87 inches tall). Kathy said the canine’s collar bears the name Jack, a service dog killed in the line of duty, and that details on uniforms and equipment were modeled from items provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The presentation also showed a granite memorial, about 3 feet tall, honoring two officers killed on Jan. 9, 1973, and a granite remembrance planter inscribed with a poem and the phrase "we will never forget," roughly 18 inches high and 5 feet by 5 feet.

Commission members and the chair praised the dedication ceremony. Chair Villaluna thanked staff and volunteers and described the unveiling as a community event attended by the artist and guests; Mayor Solanki presided over the ceremony and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Band provided music, the staff report said. Kathy told commissioners the two engraved title walls that remain to be installed are in the engraving process and are expected to be installed within about 30 days.

Why it matters: the tribute is a permanent, city-owned public-art installation sited in front of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station and intended to honor local first responders. The commission emphasized the project’s long timeline—initiated in 2017 and approved by council in 2022—and the city’s role in owning and maintaining the work as part of its public-art collection.

Staff said they will notify the commission when the title walls arrive and will return with any required installation details or follow-up items.