Arizona firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1902 will be memorialized at Wesley Bolin Plaza.
Governor Jan Brewer held a ceremonial bill signing Tuesday of the law creating the memorial, which was approved in this year's Legislative session. Tim Hill of Professional Firefighters of Arizona said it's a great honor for the first responders.
“The tragedies of particularly this year, the last couple of months, have been loud and clear in the media and in the public’s eye,” Hill said. "But firefighters have been making that sacrifice one, two, or more at a time, for decades.”
Nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew were killed when the Yarnell Hill Fire overtook them, cutting off their escape routes.