Currently, the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial is the only memorial in the State of Michigan that honors both law enforcement and fire fighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The development of the plan was born from an idea of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who had first embarked upon a memorial project that would honor police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty from Oakland County. After witnessing the tragedy of September 11th, Sheriff Bouchard was compelled to expand the project to honor officers statewide and to include fire fighters, true brothers of police. With the assistance and cooperation of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, a site was chosen within the Oakland County Complex to house the Memorial site. The site is now located on the northeast corner of the intersection of County Center Drive East (north entrance) and N. Telegraph Rd., on Oakland County's complex at 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac. map

The first phase of this memorial, unveiled in 2002 in conjunction with the remembrance of 9/11, is a life-size bronze statue of a kneeling police officer and fire fighter set side-by-side, as a symbol of the brotherhood shared by these distinguished public servants. These statues face what is now the completed phase two of this project, the installation of a granite wall, upon which the names of all those lost in the line of duty, including police officers from local departments, Sheriff's Offices, the Michigan State Police, and all firefighters from departments throughout the state, are engraved. Phase two was unveiled in November, 2005. This sacred spot now honors these heroes for eternity.

The scope of this project was expanded with the contributions of the architectural design team at HarleyEllis Devereaux. HarleyEllis Devereaux was invited into the project at the beginning of 2004 and they have created a design that truly captures the spirit of the memorial concept. The MFHM is a very special and sacred place where family members of lost heroes and people from around the world may come and have a truly meaningful experience for generations to come.

Other notable contributions/accomplishments:

• Harley Ellis Devereaux, a nationwide architectural firm, created the master plan for the Memorial.
• Giffels Webster Engineers performed site engineering and surveying for the project.
• The bronze statues were designed and cast by Brodin Studios of Minnesota and unveiled in conjunction with the remembrance of September 11th in 2002.
• The granite tablets were mined, cut and engraved in Barre, Vermont. This effort was led by Inch Memorials in Northville, Michigan and unveiled in November 2005.
• Flagpoles from Rocket Enterprises were permanently installed in 2006.
• The Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial website, designed and provided by 3D New Media, was unveiled in 2006.
• A walking path was installed in 2006.
• In-ground lighting, brick pavers, and detailed landscaping were added in 2009. The next phase will include donor recognition and a computer kiosk.

The first Fallen Hero on the wall dates back to 1864. We expect to learn about additional historical Fallen Heroes and will add their names as we learn about them. Names are added on an annual basis. There are currently 780 names carved on the wall.

Financial support continues to be crucial in making this vision a reality. The entire memorial is being financed with donations from individuals and corporations. Our generous donors are recognized here on our site and will be recognized at the memorial site. Recognition will vary depending on the level of the donor's financial commitment.

We have enjoyed the generosity of so many thus far, but our work is far from complete. Please join us in honoring the men and women in uniform by making a generous contribution today.