In a showing that Mesa does not forget our heroes, you’ll now see a new street sign on Ellsworth south of Baseline.
City of Mesa Police Officer Steven Pollard was killed in the line of duty on November 27, 1994. Each November, the Mesa Police Department holds a memorial run for Office Pollard and other fallen officers. The run starts and ends at the Superstition Police Station.
In a strong effort to remember Officer Pollard, the city renamed Medina Ave west of Ellsworth to Steven Pollard Avenue on November 24, 2016. This location is adjacent to the Mesa Police Station and Mesa Fire Station 212. Officer Pollard is also remembered every year in March when the Mesa FOP provides the Steven Paul Pollard Memorial Scholarship to three FOP member’s children.
Officer Pollard was only with the Mesa Police Department for a little over a year. He did his Criminal Justice studies at Glendale Community College, then graduated from the Regional Police Academy in 1993. He was assigned to the Falcon District which covered the east side of Mesa and was more than ready to serve and protect the Mesa Community. Officer Pollard was hit by a suspected drunk driver on November 27, 1994. He will always be remembered as a hero and we will continue to think of him as we pass by Steven Pollard Avenue.