Mosaic Honoring Terry Smith Jr. to Be Dedicated Friday Night

Menifee Market, where residents left flowers and candles in honor of Terry Smith Jr., will be the site of a memorial mosaic to be dedicated on Friday.

A mosaic featuring 398 tiles painted by members of the community will be unveiled Friday at 7 p.m. in a ceremony in front of Menifee Market, 26035 Scott Road in Menifee.

The project was organized by the volunteer group Remembering Terry Smith to honor the 11-year-old boy whose body was discovered in a shallow grave on his family's property July 10. Hundreds of residents who searched for Terry Smith Jr. before his discovery, as well as other community members and business leaders, hand-painted 4-inch-square tiles for the mosaic.

The mosaic is being mounted on the front wall of Menifee Market, which served as the command center during the search for Terry. The tiles, arranged in random order, will surround a plaque honoring the boy and those who came together during the search for him.

According to Sarah Reid of the Remembering Terry Smith group, the dedication ceremony will last about 30 minutes. Scheduled speakers include city council member Tom Fuhrman and volunteer search leaders. Afterward, guests will have the opportunity to file by and view the memorial.

The mosaic will be a permanent memorial at the store.