Despite Matthew Shepard’s murder being one of the most impactful and memorable crimes in American history, there are no memorials marking the event besides this small plaque on a bench.  The bench is outside the Arts and Sciences building on the University of Wyoming campus, where Shepard was a student.

Often the bench has flowers and mementos left by people coming to pay their respects. A plaque on the bench reads: “Matthew Wayne Shepard December 1, 1976 - October 12, 1998. Beloved son, brother, and friend. He continues to make a difference. Peace be with him and all who sit here.”