Remembering the fallen

It’s been two weeks since the city of Odessa was shocked and saddened by news that three Odessa police officers had been shot.

On Sept. 8, Cpl. John Scott Gardner, Cpl. Arlie Jones Jr. and Cpl. Abel Marquez responded to a domestic violence call at the 2900 block of Ventura Avenue.

Both Jones and Gardner were killed at the scene.

Marquez died in a Lubbock hospital four days later.

The people of Odessa remember that day — where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.

Now it’s time to make sure no one forgets.

The Odessa American has teamed up with the Fraternal Order of Police to raise funds for those officers’ families.

Thanks to a generous donation from the eastside Wal-Mart, posters and bumper stickers are being made in honor of the fallen officers.

With the families’ permission, the posters and bumper stickers will feature a drawing of the three officers.

The pencil drawing was designed by Odessa American artist Greg Bustamante and used in the Sept. 17 edition of the OA.

The bumper stickers and 11-by-7 posters will go on sale sometime this week.

All proceeds from the sale — every dime —will go to the families of the officers, to help them in their time in need.

Want to pre-order? Call Eve Flores at 333-7709.