Full Notification

Contact: Katie Carlson, PIO
Desk: 317-327-6979
Mobile: 317-374-6365

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2014

Marion County Sheriff’s Office Peace Dove Unveiled at the Central Library

On October 7^th, at 10:00 am, Marion County Sheriff John Layton and The Indianapolis Public Library CEO Jackie Nytes were joined with Public Safety Director Troy Riggs, Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry and several other community leaders to unveil the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Peace Dove at the Central Library in Indianapolis. 

Marion County Sheriff John Layton envisioned the Peace Dove after he saw too many mothers crying over the children they had lost to senseless violence, and felt that Indianapolis needed a memorial to the victims of criminal violence and their families. Therefore, Sheriff Layton turned to IFD firefighter and sculptor Ryan Feeney to create the Peace Dove.

The Peace Dove is an inspirational work of public art fabricated from fragments of confiscated firearm parts. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the destruction of firearms used in the commission of crimes and provided Feeney with the gun fragments. Sheriff Layton believes viewing the Peace Dove is a great opportunity to raise awareness for crime victims and the needs of their surviving family members. “I want to do this for the families of those victims,” Sheriff Layton said. “Maybe we can find a place of solace where they can actually gather around the Peace Dove in remember of the one they loved.”

The Indianapolis Public Library began the “Stand4Peace” initiative to encourage individuals of all ages, especially youth and community leaders, to engage in dialogue toward finding solutions to senseless crime. Part of the “Stand4Peace” initiative included hosting the exhibit “Kin Killin’ Kin” by artist James Pate, a 13-image collection that illustrates the tragedy of violence.

“’Stand4Peace’ is an opportunity for the Library to be everyone’s place to come together to learn and discuss important issues and commonly shared challenges,” said Jackie Nytes, Indy Library CEO. “We encourage all citizens to view the Peace Dove and join with others in our community to advance the theme of peace and understanding.”

For the past several weeks, a smaller version of the Peace Dove has been on tour at local library branches around the city. The Peace Dove will remain at the Central Library for approximately six months.  The final location of the Peace Dove has not yet been determined.

In February, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and The Indianapolis Public Library developed a partnership to distribute free gun locks to Marion County residents through their local library branches.

For more information, contact Katie Carlson with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 317-327-6979, 317-374-6365 or [email protected], or Jon Barnes with The Indianapolis Public Library at 317-275-4022, 317-538-5297 or [email protected].

###