The name of slain Denver Police Detective Donald “Donnie” Young was added today to the memorial for fallen officers in front of Denver police headquarters.
Dozens of police officers, some shedding tears, watched as contractor Gary Craven carved Young’s name among 59 others.
Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman said that as Young’s name was being adding, he was on the phone with Young’s widow, Kelly Young, telling her what was happening at that exact moment.
“She is overwhelmed by the support she is getting,” Whitman said.
Sharon Sekerak, a civilian employee of the police department, had called Erickson Monuments, and asked them to add Young’s name to the memorial as quickly as possible.
“I wanted it put up there before his funeral. I just thought it should be up there,” said Sekerak, who works for the department’s technology and support staff.
Craven, who was working for Erickson, said that he has been adding names to police, state patrol and firefighters memorials for 19 years.
He said he adds two to three police officers a year and three to four firefighters a year, depending on how bad the fire season is.
Craven says he does his best in adding the names.
“It’s there forever. So you do the best job possible,” Craven said.
