A bronze statue honoring a Sun Prairie firefighter who lost his life during a 2018 explosion will be placed in front of the Sun Prairie Fire Department.
The Sun Prairie City Council approved a $20,000 budget amendment on May 21 to purchase and install the $30,000 commemorating the loss of Captain Cory Barr. The fire department will pay the additional $10,000.
The action comes after Sun Prairie Fire Chief Chris Garrison sent a letter to council members.
“July 10th, 2018 will always be a day of celebration because of the lives that were saved, but it will always remain a tragedy in the hearts of others,” wrote Garrison. “A City lost a good man and business owner, a department lost a brother, a family lost a husband, a father, a son and a brother, and the world lost a smile. “
Authorities determined the explosion was caused after an unmarked gas line was cut, resulting in a gas leak. The explosion killed Capt. Barr and injured 11 people, including five other firefighters and a police officer. Several buildings were leveled.