September 1, 2019  – Placed where Mount Vernon Police Department Detective Christopher J. Ridley tragically died over 11 years ago, County Executive George Latimer, the family of Christopher J. Ridley, Legislator Lyndon Williams and other officials and friends unveiled Detective Christopher A. Ridley memorial.

Latimer said: “At a moment like this that you try to value what a human life is and what it means. It is difficult but important on a day like today to not only remember the end of the life of Christopher Ridley but the life that he actually lived.”

The ceremony, emceed by Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins who was in his office overlooking the shooting on that day, marked the unveiling of the memorial which includes text on the front noting the tragic sequence of events that took place on January 25, 2008 along with a portrait of Ridley and the poem “I Rise” by Maya Angelou on the back.

Legislator Lyndon Williams said: “I stand here to say this to Christopher’s parents, the time has come for us to have a fitting permanent memorial to Christopher Ridley, a hero that lost his life on this plaza.”

Senior Pastor of the Historic Grace Baptist Church Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson said: “This is a great moment for Westchester because it is standing up and recognizing the contributions of Chris. We are here today not because Christopher was shot, not because he died, but because he lived.”

The memorial stands on the site that was first dedicated in Ridley’s memory in 2009.

Father of Det. Ridley Stanley Ridley said: “Christopher’s memory is one of the many great contributions that will come out of Mount Vernon’s community. He may no longer be ours, but now his memory belongs to this world.”

Mother of Det. Ridley Felitia Rucker Bouche said: “I hope this monument can teach others that when you do something do it unconditionally. Today we are here to honor my son, a brother and a fallen officer who did his job fearlessly and unconditionally.”