The face of innocence now looks into the eyes of a Sparks Police Department officer in Memorial Park. The bronze statue of a Sparks PD officer holding a little girl on his bent knee was installed Monday and on Friday it will be dedicated to all officers past and present who have served on the Sparks police force.

“It is nice to see it come to the conclusion it has come to,” Commander Gary Potter said. “It honestly reflects, for the most part, what we as an agency try to accomplish.”

The process began about three years ago when, after a firefighters memorial was installed at the park, former Sparks Mayor Tony Armstrong suggested adding a police tribute. After a fair amount of discussion on what the Sparks PD should represent and years of work by sculptors and foundry artists, the tribute statue was placed in Memorial Park Monday.

Potter was one of a five-member committee that oversaw the production and design of the statue, from what it represented to how it would be paid for.

“Most police officers see themselves as someone who really wants to go out and help people,” Potter said. “People who choose this profession get into it for the right reasons.”

Unlike the firefighter’s memorial on the other side of the park, the statue of the police officer is a tribute to the service of those living rather than the memory of those who have died in the line of duty.

“It isn’t for that particular sacrifice,” Potter said. “It is supposed to span everybody.”

The statue was paid for from community gifts and some money from the Sparks City Council, costing a total of $41,000.

The first lines were etched into the statue’s face by sculptor Miles Metzger, of Metzger Studios in the Napa Valley area of California. It was then finished off by Sacramento, Calif., foundry artist Ronnie Frostad.

“She made a few modifications that really brought it to life,” Potter said. “She put pupils in the eyes, gave definition to the face — she really took that piece and brought it to life.”

The tribute in bronze will be dedicated Friday at 11 a.m. in conjunction with Memorial Day ceremonies hosted by the city of Sparks.

When asked to describe the statue, Sgt. Peter Krall penned the following words:

“The Sparks Police Tribute statue is intended to recognize the faithful and professional service of the men and women of the Sparks Police Department. This statue is dedicated to those who have served, are serving and will serve the community of Sparks.

“The officer symbolizes the vigilant eye of law enforcement, devoted to protecting the public. The young girl symbolizes innocence. The pose reflects the Sparks Police Department’s desire to defend righteousness and innocence.”