On Saturday May 31, the City of Doraville honored slain Detective Hugo Fernando Arango with a tree planting along the median of the Hugo Arango Memorial Bridge on Oakcliff Road, followed by a plaque dedication ceremony that was held at City Hall.
The ceremony was supposed to take place on the bridge, but because of the large turn-out, it was moved to City Hall. The plaque itself will be mounted in a central location of the bridge retainer wall. Plans for a future granite marker are being made.
Guests included City and County officials, law enforcement and fire department representatives, business leaders, legislators, and, of course, the parents, sisters, nieces and nephews of Detective Arango.
The twenty-four year-old Doraville police Detective was gunned down on May 13, 2000 while questioning two individuals who were suspected of breaking into vehicles in a local nightclub parking lot. As Detective Arango was searching one of the suspects, he located a handgun and a struggle ensued. The six-year police veteran was shot three times, taking shots to the leg, chest and head. After a massive manhunt, the shooter was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Detective Arango is survived by his parents and three sisters.
Ceremony organizer and Doraville councilmember Donna Pittman said the ceremony was supposed to be held last year, but the event was hampered by the drought’s water restrictions. Pittman said that it was important that the tree planting went along with the plaque dedication in order to “enhance and beautify the area.”
DeKalb County donated 30 trees of various types, and Advanced Disposal Services has offered to water them. Pittman said the goal is to ultimately plant 75, but the drought has taken a toll on local tree farm supplies.