Barely a day goes by that Stephanie Walker doesn?t speak to her son.
Ever since 23-year-old Patrick John Walker was stabbed to death behind the Harford County Health Department in an apparent road-rage incident, his mother has maintained a small memorial at the edge of the Bel Air parking lot.
She visits daily to refresh flowers and replace the photos faded by sun, rain and snow.
“I go up there every night,” shesaid. “I light candles; I blow him a kiss. When I?m not here, my sister does it for me. … I talk to him when I?m up there. I feel like I?m deserting him if I don?t do that.”
With the help of the town and St. Margaret Catholic Church, the family will hold a memorial service at the site this evening to remember the one-year anniversary of his death, Bel Air?s first murder in more than 20 years.
Earlier in the day, afternoon Mass at St. Margaret will be said for Patrick, just as it was a year ago.
Michael Razzio Simmons, 19, pleaded guilty in April to second-degree murder in the killing and received a sentence of 30 years in prison.
Though she plans to work on raising money for a permanent memorial to Patrick ? perhaps along the Ma and Pa Trail to commemorate his love of nature ? and possibly establishing a scholarship fund in his honor, Stephanie Walker said she plans to continue her nightly visits to the lot behind the Health Department.
“That?s where he was last alive,” she said.
IF YOU GO
What: Memorial for Patrick John Walker
When: 8 tonight
Where: 119 S. Hayes St., Bel Air
