Francis Marion University will honor fallen Florence County Sheriff’s Office investigator Farrah Turner with a campus park.
The FMU Board of Trustees approved naming a new park on campus after Turner, according to the university’s website. Turner was a 2005 FMU graduate and was killed in the October shooting of law enforcement officers in Florence’s Vintage Place neighborhood.
“Turner Park will be an intimate and reflective space set amidst the Forest Villa residential apartments on campus,” says the website. “It will include benches, trails, plantings and a distinctive water feature. It’s part of FMU’s ongoing enhancement of residential areas on campus.”
FMU President, Dr. Fred Carter, told News13 the idea for the park was sparked last spring, but the board of trustees voted unanimously to name it after Investigator Turner.
“I think the park, and what that park represents to people on this campus will be an appropriate recognition for her, her life, and her dedication to the people of this community and the state,” he said.
Dr. Carter said the university worked with Turner on special cases.
“We knew two Farrahs,” said Dr. Carter. “We knew her as a student, but then Farrah came back as an investigator with the sheriff’s department, and worked with us on selective cases from time to time so we came to know her in both capacities on this campus.”
The park is scheduled for completion in early 2019 and a dedication ceremony will be held in February.
The City of Darlington recently announced plans to honor fallen Florence police officer Sgt. Terrence Carraway, who was also killed in the shooting. The city plans to name a playground and part of Southern Pines Street after Carraway.
