The approach of February 14th brings a familiar, heavy silence to South Florida. It is a date etched in grief, marking the anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. However, in Hollywood, Florida, this year’s remembrance began with a celebration of life, movement, and the enduring spirit of a man who defined the word “hero.”
On Wednesday morning, as reported by 7News, city leaders and community members gathered at Stan Goldman Memorial Park to officially dedicate the Chris Hixon Memorial Trail. The dedication comes just three days before the eighth anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 17 lives.
A Legacy in Motion
Chris Hixon was more than just a name in a headline; he was the athletic director and wrestling coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. On that day in 2018, Hixon didn’t run from the danger. Instead, he ran toward it, confronting the shooter in a selfless attempt to protect his students.
While the world remembers him for his final moments, the new memorial trail aims to honor how he lived. Hixon was a veteran, a dedicated mentor, and a family man who found peace in the very park where his name now stands.
“It’s a place where there’s life, and Chris was full of life. He enjoyed walking through this park; we did it on a weekly basis,” his wife, Debbi Hixon, told 7News. “It’s really special for us. He’s just so happy looking down that his legacy and his memory will go on.”
More Than a Victim
For the Hixon family, the trail’s proximity to their home makes the tribute deeply personal. Debbi shared with 7News that the park was a staple of their daily routine, making the dedication feel like a homecoming.
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy emphasized that the city wanted to highlight the character of the man behind the badge. “For us to have the opportunity to dedicate this in his memory today, being the hero, the veteran, the family man that he was, all of his life he really exemplified the ideals that we strive for in our city,” Levy said during the ceremony.
The goal of the Chris Hixon Memorial Trail is to provide a space for reflection—not just on the tragedy of the Parkland shooting, but on the vibrant lives of those who were lost.
“It’s really important to all of us that we don’t just remember that they were victims of a mass shooting, that we remember that they were all individuals who had families that loved them, that had goals, that had had dreams that were taken away from them,” Debbi Hixon told 7News.
A Place for the Community
As the eighth anniversary of the Valentine’s Day massacre nears, the trail stands as a permanent reminder that bravery and love outlast violence. For the residents of Hollywood and the students whose lives Hixon touched, the path offers a place to walk, breathe, and remember a man who gave everything for his community.
Source: WSVN 7News
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