FAIRBANKS — An archway to a park memorializing two slain Alaska State Troopers has been unveiled in Fairbanks.
The grand opening of the Trooper Gabe Rich and Trooper Scott Johnson Memorial Park is set for May 1, 2017, the three-year anniversary of the fatal shooting, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.
Nathanial Kangas is serving a 203-year prison sentence after being convicted in the May 2014 shooting deaths.
Project manager and North Pole police chief Steve Dutra said Universal Welders, Design Alaska and other contractors gave their time and money for the effort. The project carries an estimated price tag of more than $250,000
Walls inside the park will be etched with names of area residents who have died serving their community, state or country, including veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, Alaska Department of Transportation workers and volunteers.
Labor and materials for the walls were provided by Rady Concrete.
LED lights illuminate park walls along a walkway where benches have been placed. More lights will be added to the metal archway as well as on flag poles that are going to be installed at the park.
“You should really come at nighttime and walk around,” Dutra said. “When these LED lights are on, it’s quite a beautiful sight.”
