It was one year ago Tuesday that Mesa police Sgt. Brandon Mendoza was killed by an impaired wrong-way driver on his way home from work.
On the anniversary, a vigil to remember the highly regarded officer at a fitting place. Mendoza helped make several improvements at Guerrero Rotary Park. It was in the neighborhood he patrolled.
"You probably never thought you would see all these kids playing here," Mary Ann Mendoza said to those in attendance. "I know that he's smiling above down on all of us tonight," she said.
There were more than 100 people standing in front of Mendoza Field, the baseball diamond just dedicated to him a day prior.
Retired Mesa Park Ranger John Goodie worked with Mendoza.
"We need more Brandon Mendoza's in our communities," Goodie told the crowd.
Family and friends said Mendoza had a hand in bringing in better playground equipment, surveillance cameras and more. They said it was his dream to keep the park safe for families and anyone who wanted to come enjoy it.
Friends of Mendoza's like Joseph Villalba said they try to emulate him in his passing.
"One person can make so many people feel like they're his best friend," Villalba said.
But he said the day has been an emotional roller coaster.
"You have like flash backs of the reality of him being gone, it's been one year today," he said.
Mendoza's mother filed a complaint against the State of Arizona on May 1. The suit claims the suspect traveled in the wrong direction for more than 30 miles without being intercepted by law enforcement. It said the procedures the state and DPS had in place were inadequate.
Mary Ann Mendoza declined interviews at the vigil.
DPS spokesperson Bart Graves said the department doesn't comment on pending litigation.
