Bernalillo County commissions $200,000 sculpture for Vietnam War hero Richard Rocco

Bernalillo County has opened the bid process for a new monumental sculpture honoring Chief Warrant Officer Richard Rocco. The county Arts Board is accepting submissions exclusively from artists based in New Mexico. The commission carries a total budget of $200,000. This amount covers design, fabrication, transportation, and installation. The finished work will be installed at Richard Rocco Memorial Park. The park is located at 1250 Isleta Blvd. SW, next to the West Side Community Center.

Rocco was born in Albuquerque's South Valley. He served as a U.S. Army medic during the Vietnam War. In 1968, his helicopter was shot down. During the crash, he risked his life to save his fellow soldiers. President Gerald Ford presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1974. Rocco also received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his military service.

The county established the public art program to commemorate Rocco's service. Kent Swanson, the Public Art Program Coordinator, handles inquiries for the project. Artists can reach him at 505-350-0144 or kswanson@bernco.gov for additional information. The county government serves more than 676,000 residents across Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, and Tijeras.

The Arts Board will review the proposals to select the final design. The winning artist will manage the creation of the piece under the stated budget. The installation site is currently the Richard Rocco Memorial Park. The county aims to complete the project in the coming year. This commission follows the county's broader efforts to honor local heroes and enhance public spaces. The selection process is now underway.