Just revisiting the details of the Steven Stayner case after hearing about this latest story. Amazing story of Stayner. This from the Crime Library (hope he gets a statue if it hasn't happened already):
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/psychology/kenneth_parnell/index.html
More than 10 years after Steven's death, the City of Merced asked locals to suggest names for city parks to honor some of Merced's notable citizens. Steven's parents suggested that one of the parks be named in Steven's honor. His mother told the Sun-Star that it would be "a positive thing for kids" because her son had survived "an extraordinary experience and came through it OK."
The City Council initially agreed that Steven would receive the honor, but the Sun-Star soon reported that some locals were concerned that people now primarily associated the name "Stayner" with Cary, and not with Steven.
Over the ensuing months, supporters and opponents of naming the park for Steven debated in City Council meetings and in letters to the editor. Compromises such "Steven's Park" were suggested and rejected. Steven's children wrote a letter to the editor of the Sun-Star stating that their father was unquestionably worthy of the honor of being the park's namesake.
Eventually, however, the park was named after another Merced resident.
But supporters who wanted to pay tribute to Steven's memory were not deterred, and there is currently an effort to create a large statue portraying Steven leading a young Timmy White to safety – to be installed in a prominent place in Merced.
Steven Stayner's legacy continues. His reappearance after seven years may give hope to families also traumatized by a missing child. Nobody knows how his community service of speaking to kids and parents may have prevented kidnappings similar to his own.
But his single act of bravery on a dark night in the early spring of 1980 will define the term "hero" for many years to come.
That makes me sad. Look at the date of the artilce... I wonder if a statue was ever erected of him?