City Council OKs memorial for slain Powell boys

The Puyallup City Council approved the construction plan at its meeting Tuesday night.

The monument at Woodbine Cemetery will be a Christmas Box Angel made of bronze and sitting on a white granite base.

The boys' grandfather, Chuck Cox, said, “Realizing that many families that have to deal with the loss of a child, it’s evident to us that an angel statue would be a fitting memorial and that it would benefit the entire community.”

Charlie and Braden’s names will be etched on bricks and there will be benches with lighting and built-in flower holders. It’s being paid for by funds donated from people around the world.

Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department purchased the graves to keep their father, who died in the same house explosion and fire, from being buried next to them.

Now, other children who die young can be laid to rest there. The Cox family plans to dedicate the monument on Dec. 6 if construction is completed by then.

“Those who have lost children or need to grieve for a loved one, come and place a white flower at the base of the statue in honor of those who have returned to heaven,” Cox said.