Fallen Orlando Police Officer Kevin Valencia was honored this week with a memorial bench dedicated to his service and sacrifice to the City of Orlando. Officer Valencia’s wife Meghan and son Kaleb helped unveil the bench, which was made possible from a generous donation from the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. Officer Valencia died last year after being shot in the line of duty in 2018.
Officer Valencia’s commitment and sacrifice have not, and will not be, forgotten by our community. OPD had a unified message: “Gone, but not forgotten.” The new memorial bench is located at the Orlando Police Department’s Training Facility. OPD says it is a reminder of Officer Kevin Valencia’s courage and compassion.
In 2018, Officer Valencia was shot in the line of duty while trying to save children from a domestic violence situation in Orlando. Officer Valencia passed away from his injuries in March 2021.
“Officer Kevin Valencia served our community with courage and compassion each day during his time as a member of the Orlando Police Department,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. “Thanks to the generosity of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, a new memorial bench, which I joined District 6 Commissioner Bakari Burns and Chief Rolón to unveil at OPD’s Training Facility, will help remind every officer of his bravery.”
Orlando Mayor Dyer and Police Chief Orlando Rolón were also joined by representatives from The Mall at Millenia, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, Meghan Valencia, and members from Officer Kevin Valencia’s squad for the dedication.
