Orange County honors 53 fallen law enforcement officers at annual memorial ceremony

Orange County law enforcement leaders and family members gathered at the Orange County Courthouse for an annual memorial ceremony to honor 53 officers who died in the line of duty. Orange County Sheriff John W. Mina and Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith addressed attendees, and the program included musical performances, the reading of the fallen officers' names, a wreath presentation and ceremonial honors including a rifle volley, taps and an aviation flyover.

The ceremony provided a space for survivors, colleagues and public officials to remember officers who died in the line of duty and to recognize families who continue to grieve. Major Tony Mardo of the Orange County Sheriff's Office opened the event and noted the federal observance that anchors the date: "On Oct. 1, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed into law dedicating May 15 of every year as National Peace Officer Memorial Day," he said.

Sheriff John W. Mina told the audience the community would not forget the fallen. "We will never ever forget your loved ones," Mina said, urging continued support for survivors. Mina also acknowledged two recent losses in the sheriff's office community—Lieutenant Ellie Shea and Lieutenant Chris Dillon—and said their deaths, though not in the line of duty, had deeply affected the agency and community.

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith delivered a tribute to Officer George DeSalvia, who was killed Feb. 3, 2000. Smith recounted DeSalvia's service and said the city had honored his memory by renaming the street where the department's training center and range are located to George DeSalvia Way in 2012.

Ceremony elements included vocal performances by Orlando Police Officer Gladys Justiano, the presentation of a wreath by Fraternal Order of Police lodges, the lighting of a remembrance candle, a three-volley salute by the Orange County Corrections Department honor guard, taps performed by Sgt. Mike Mascotte of the Orlando Police Department, and a flyover by the Orange County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Fraternal Order of Police presidents Adam Crudo and Jeff Stinson called the names of the 53 fallen officers while a rose was placed on the memorial wreath for each name called.

Officials and agency representatives recognized onstage included Sheriff John W. Mina, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, and leaders from local police departments, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, federal law enforcement agencies and the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Chaplains from local law enforcement organizations offered invocation and benediction prayers during the program.

The ceremony closed with an invitation for survivor families to take a plant home as a living memorial and a formal dismissal of uniformed personnel. Organizers said the event was intended to both honor the deceased and to provide support and community for surviving family members and colleagues.

The program emphasized remembrance and community support rather than policy action or new initiatives. No motions or formal governmental actions were taken at the ceremony.