Ryan Hummert Memorial

Across the country you will find memorials in parks everywhere. They are a treasured part of the American landscape and Brookside recently completed a very special one in a park in Maplewood, Missouri. It is a memorial to Ryan Hummert, a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2008.

On that day Ryan responded to the call of a vehicle fire, but was hit by sniper fire after arriving to the scene. Sadly, Ryan was killed and two police officers were injured. At only 22 years of age it was Ryan's first and only response to a call.

Shortly after the incident the City of Maplewood decided to rename Junior High Park, Ryan Hummert Memorial Park.

The memorial built by Brookside Contracting stands in Ryan Hummert Memorial Park. it was designed by architects Doug Delong and Matt Wolfe. The design has a unique geometry to it, sets perfectly atop a hill at the Northwest corner of the park, and includes a 10 ft. bronze statue of a firefighter.

Memorials are a good fit for Brookside because they usually include a water feature or some elaborate stone or boulder work. This memorial was no exception. it incorporates black granite, Missouri red granite, and colored concrete into its design.

The standing part of the memorial is constructed primarily of black granite. The black granite is a polished granite from India that has a very consistent color and texture to it. The black structure stands in stark contrast to the landscape giving it a striking, commanding appearance. Missouri red granite pavers and concrete make up the geometrically complex floor of the structure and, of course, the bronze statue of the firefighter stands high and is the focal point of the memorial.

The finished product of the Ryan Hummert Memorial can be seen in the memorials gallery of this website. Sculptors of the bronze statue were Robert Daus Jr. and Robert Daus Sr. of Liberty Art Works. Robert Daus Sr., owner of LAW, is a retired firefighter from the St. Louis City Fire Department.