For Gina Thayne, memories of her nephew Dillon Taylor are everywhere. As his last legal guardian, she saw him as a son. The pain of his loss remains heavy—he was fatally shot by Salt Lake City police in 2014.
Visiting his grave is difficult, but Thayne finds solace in a massive mural of Dillon on Salt Lake City’s Fleet Block. His face, painted in pink and red hues, is among 28 other portraits honoring individuals who lost their lives in police encounters.
However, these murals—spanning a wall along 300 West between 800 and 900 South—are set to be demolished in the coming months as the city moves forward with plans to redevelop the area into a mixed-use development.
“It brings me peace to see his face there,” Thayne said, acknowledging how painful it is to know the murals will soon be gone.
A Community Memorial Faces Removal
The Salt Lake City Department of Community and Neighborhoods confirmed that preserving the murals is not logistically possible. To document their significance, the city has created a digital archive for families.
On February 8, relatives of those featured in the murals gathered for a vigil at the Fleet Block, mourning their loved ones and the impending loss of a powerful community landmark.
“For families like mine, it feels like losing them all over again,” Thayne said, her voice breaking.
The murals first appeared in 2020, painted by anonymous artists in the wake of George Floyd’s death, which triggered national protests against police brutality. Since then, the Fleet Block has served as a sanctuary for grieving families, a place of remembrance and shared sorrow.
“This wall is where we come to find peace, support each other, and grieve together,” Thayne said. “Out in the world, no one truly understands our pain. But here, we do.”
Honoring Lost Loved Ones
At the vigil, families placed flowers, shared memories, and embraced one another. Some wore custom-made hoodies printed with their loved ones’ mural portraits, a small way to preserve their presence even after the murals disappear.
Among those honored is Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, who was fatally shot by Salt Lake City police in 2020. His family placed flowers beneath his portrait, remembering him as a beloved brother and friend.
“He was more than a name in the news,” said his sister, Karina Palacios. “Seeing his face here was a reminder to everyone that he was a person, not just a statistic.”
For Tree Stanley, whose son Michael Glad was killed by West Jordan police in 2018, the murals have been a source of comfort.
“I miss him every day,” she said. “I don’t have a grave to visit—his urn is at home. But here, I could sit with him.”
A Call for a Permanent Memorial
While the city’s redevelopment plans remain uncertain, officials have promised to include three acres of public community space that will feature commissioned artwork reflecting the themes of the murals.
The families previously sent a letter to city officials in 2022, urging them to create a permanent memorial within the new development.
“We’ll be watching to make sure they keep their word,” said Rae Duckworth, cousin of Bobby Duckworth, who was killed by police in 2019.
Thayne hopes that whatever replaces the murals will offer the same sense of love and serenity the Fleet Block has provided.
“It hurts to lose these murals, but I hope the city follows through and gives us something that truly honors our loved ones,” she said.
The Fleet Block site is expected to be fenced off by late February, with demolition beginning in March.
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