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Former Rio Rancho Police Officer John Francis passed away in July after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Now, his friend Tanya Harden is requesting some recognition of his service with the Rio Rancho Public Schools School Board.

In public comment at the board meeting Aug. 12, Harden sobbed as she asked the school board to consider a proposal.

"I am here tonight to ask if a school facility of any kind can be named after Officer John Francis," she said.

Francis, after his retirement as a police officer, served as the school's safety and security coordinator for the bus system. Then, he became a security officer for one of the schools.

Harden added that if a facility couldn't be named after him that she would like to see some kind of memorial for him.

Board President Amanda Galbraith said the board couldn't comment on public comment but thanked Harden profusely for her proposal. Galbraith said they would see about getting it on the agenda for another board meeting.

Harden says she will also approach Rio Rancho City Council for a similar proposal.