Fort Worth city leaders unveiled the Hank Nava Jr. Memorial Highway Sign this morning. It honors the life, service, and legacy of Nava while recognizing his impact on the community and law enforcement.
Fort Worth Officer Henry “Hank” Nava Jr. was shot and killed in 2005 while serving a warrant on a parole violator.
The highway sign is on Northwest Loop 820, east of the Marine Creek Parkway exit ramp, in the grassy area adjacent to the freeway.
City leaders and Nava’s family gathered for an unveiling ceremony.
Fort Worth Councilmember Charles Lauersdorf said the honor was a long time coming.
“A lot of people came together to make today happen, but it wouldn’t have happened without y’all’s fierce advocacy reminding us of what today really means. So thank you. Please accept our apology for this taking entirely way too long,” Lauersdorf said.
Lauersdorf said the highway sign symbolically represented the family. “It honors the Nava Family and what Hank stood for, and it’s not taking the path of least resistance. It’s running towards the chaos, not from the chaos. It’s leaving family behind, which is not the easy thing to do.” Lauersdorf added. “The sign honors a legacy. It honors everything that your family stood for. And quite frankly, it tells the thousands and millions of drivers that are gonna be driving through Fort Worth that this is a city that cares about its officers and its fallen officers and the sacrifices that we ask them to make and that some do.”
Police Chief Eddie Garcia spoke about what it means to him.
“Thousands of people will pass the stretch of highway. Many may not know Hank’s story. But they will see his name. We hope it encourages them to pause, if only for a moment, and remember that our freedom, safety, and protection are secured through courage and selflessness from people like Hank,” Garcia said.
Loved ones were also on hand for the event.
Teresa Nava-Salazar said it was the culmination of decades of work.
“21 years ago, I promised everyone that Hank’s name would not be forgotten.” Nava-Salazar said. “Hank deserves to be remembered. He is our legacy, as well as Fort Worth’s legacy. This memorial highway sign is another permanent reminder of him. Would he like all this attention? Probably not, but as long as I’m alive, his name will not be forgotten. Thank you to all who came today for this very special day.”
Last year, family and friends gathered for a vigil in his honor.
Two decades after Fort Worth Officer Henry “Hank” Nava Jr. was killed while serving a warrant, his family and former colleagues gathered for a candlelight vigil. The department and his children say they continue to carry on his legacy. NBC 5’s Allie Spillyards has the story.