Mary Sawyer-Nieder has been painting rocks since 2018. Like many in Coeur d’Alene, she posts photos of her creations in the Facebook group #cdarocks before hiding them around local parks and trails.  

When she painted a handful of rocks in honor of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, who were shot and killed June 29, she planned on hiding them in Riverstone Park.

But when her post to the Facebook group quickly garnered over 1,100 reactions, several fellow artists suggested a better location to share her work.

Sawyer-Nieder didn’t know of Fallen Heroes Plaza in Cherry Hill Park at the time — but when she arrived, she was struck by the flowers, flags and other mementos that had already been placed at the memorial dedicated to Idaho’s fallen first responders.  

“I stood there forever before I put the rocks down,” she said.  

Sawyer-Nieder's rocks are lovingly painted with the words “never forget,” and also include hearts, the names of the fallen firefighters and the date of the tragedy.  

“I try to be intentional with my painting,” she said. “This story just touched my heart.” 

Her work isn’t done yet — Sawyer-Nieder is now painting larger rocks that she hopes to be placed at Harwood and Morrison’s home fire stations. 

Others in the community have turned to rock painting as a way to process their personal grief: Pam Houser, a former fire commissioner, describes rock painting as “therapy.” 

Houser adorned several rocks with the Thin Red Line Flag, which is a black and white American flag featuring a single red stripe. The flag has become a symbol of support for fire personnel.

Houser has since placed these rocks at area fire stations and plans on putting more into the community in the coming days. 

“When you have a tragedy in your community, it’s the little things that get people through tough times,” Houser said.   

Houser added that those who find these rocks are welcome to take them for themselves, “replant” them somewhere else or leave them be.  

“Sometimes it’s just nice to have something to hold on to,” Houser said. 

Sawyer-Nieder hopes the rocks also serve as a reminder that “it takes nothing to be kind.”  

“Some people can do big things, and some can do small things — they all matter,” she said.