Construction starts on park honoring fallen officer

Ofc. Shawn McWethy was killed in 1986

Albuquerque police officer Shawn McWethy was searching for a suspicious man he’d spotted in the area of South Broadway and Pacific Avenue.

It was the afternoon of Feb. 1, 1986, and, while parked in his patrol car, another car pulled up behind McWethy. A man got out and fired nine rounds into McWethy’s unit — bullets striking both the officer’s protective vest and unprotected body, killing the 23-year-old, past accounts read.

“While Officer Shawn McWethy gave his life to protect and serve our community more than 30 years ago, the impact of that sacrifice lives on,” Mayor Richard Berry said in a statement marking the start of work on Shawn McWethy Park on the city’s West Side. “We are honored to pay homage to his memory through the construction of this memorial park.”

City Councilor Ken Sanchez said, “families and children will be able to enjoy their time at this park while remembering Officer McWethy.”

Municipal leaders, community members and family including Kenneth and Helen McWethy — the parents of Kenneth Shawn McWethy — gathered Sunday along Casa Verde NW, where it meets Casa Florida, to officially break ground on the new park.

While serving as a salute to McWethy, the park also meets a community need. Residents have been asking for such a recreation site for the area, Sanchez’s office said.

According to the city, the

park will eventually total 5.1 acres and be built in phases.

Phase one will include a playground with wood mulch on one-third of an acre, and similar amenities.

This phase costs about $662,000, with the money coming from 2015 general obligation bond funding and Councilor Sanchez’s set-aside funding.

Phase one is expected to be completed in October.

The next phase will include a basketball court, parking, grass and landscaping, and will start as soon as funding is secured, Sanchez’s office said.

So the huge mound of dirt at the site Sunday will soon make way for Shawn McWethy Park. McWethy’s parents said at the groundbreaking they’re happy he won’t be forgotten.

“We lost Shawn, but this will always be a reminder that he was there and served,” Kenneth McWethy told KOAT-TV.

“We miss him every day,” Helen McWethy also said. “We’re honored that he is remembered at this time.”

ADOLPHE PIERRE-LOUIS/JOURNAL Kenneth McWethy, right, and his wife, Helen, join other family members on Sunday in looking at the plans of the park dedicated to their son, Albuquerque Police Department officer Shawn McWethy.

ADOLPHE PIERRE-LOUIS/JOURNAL Parks and Rec. Director Barbara Taylor is joined by family members of Shawn McWethy as well as city officials at the groundbreaking of the Shawn McWethy Park.

Shawn McWethy