DAPHNE, Ala. — Brianna’s Bridge won’t simply honor the memory of a young life cut short.

The permanent memorial to Daphne murder victim Brianna Parish will also serve as a reminder for constant caution and vigilance in an often-violent world.

“Brianna was just such a light. I hope this will be a place of contemplation,” said Bruce Parish, whose daughter was just 21 when her body was found Nov. 14, 2008, near the Daphne Utilities water treatment facility on Main Street.

Rob McElroy, general manager of Daphne Utilities, unveiled plans for the memorial Thursday just steps from where her family has maintained a cross and flowers since her death.

“The idea for the memorial originally came from our employees,” McElroy said.

“Every day, they pass the small memorial the Parish family has faithfully maintained since Brianna’s death. It touched every employee’s heart and led them to suggest creating something more permanent.”

McElroy said the project was so quickly embraced, the utility company “never had to walk alone,” and he credited the entire city of Daphne, Mayor Fred Small, the company’s own utility board, Paul Carpenter Davis Architecture and Hutchinson Moore and Rauch Engineering.

Parish had last been seen at Bay House Pub two days before her body was found, and court records indicate blunt-force injuries to the head as the cause of death.

Six weeks later, suspect Troy McDonald was arrested and indicted in February 2009 on capital murder charges. In November 2010, McDonald agreed to plead guilty in the rape and murder, in exchange for the removal of the death penalty.

“We hope this will help people understand horrible things can happen anywhere, even in beautiful little towns like Daphne,” said Sylinda Parish, Brianna’s mother.

The family has also launched a website, www.briannabond.com, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers young women face on a daily basis.

“We hope it will remind young women everywhere to take precautions my daughter didn’t take that night,” Sylinda Parish said.

McElroy said the brick and concrete structure, slated for completion in June, will resemble an incomplete bridge by design.

“The end of the memorial will be left unfinished just as Brianna’s promising life was a work incomplete cut short far too soon,” he said.

Sylinda Parish said until this healing process began she had no idea how many lives her daughter had touched in her 21 years.

“I know my beautiful baby, if she’s watching, is quite happy,” she said.

Bruce Parish said his hope is that the structure will help something good come from his family’s tragedy and he urged the modest crowd gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony to settle any differences they might be experiencing with their family members.

“(Family members) can be gone in the blink of an eye, and you never get that opportunity again,” he said.