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Orange County honors 53 fallen officers at annual memorial ceremony
Summary
At an annual Orange County law-enforcement memorial, leaders and officers honored 53 colleagues who died in the line of duty with speeches, musical tributes, the reading of names and ceremonial honors. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith and Sheriff John W. Mina delivered remarks.
ORLANDO — Hundreds gathered tonight for an annual Orange County law-enforcement memorial ceremony to honor 53 officers who died in the line of duty.
"Service over self," Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said in his opening remarks, calling policing a commitment to put others' safety above one’s own. Smith highlighted the life and work of Orlando Police Lt. Deborah Clayton, saying she spent 17 years mentoring officers, leading community outreach and responding to dangerous calls before she was fatally shot while responding to a report at the Walmart at Princeton and John Young Parkway. "Those who knew Deborah say she was destined for public service," Smith said.
Sheriff John W. Mina offered condolences to survivors and recalled other deputies lost in service, including Deputy John Cregan and Deputy Chris Hilton, whose deaths the sheriff placed in the historical record of community losses. "I promise you, we will never ever forget them," Mina said, thanking families and officers for their service.
The program included the presentation of colors, a vocal tribute by officers introduced by the emcee, a spoken-word reflection by University of Central Florida police officer Donovan Jackson and the ceremonial calling of names. Fraternal Order of Police presidents Adam Prudo and Jeff Stinson called the names of the 53 fallen; as each name was read a rose was placed on the memorial wreath and uniformed personnel stood in their honor.
Attendees observed a moment of silence, participated in a candle-lighting, and heard a three-volley salute by the Orange County corrections honor guard and Taps performed by Orlando Police Officer Elijahwan Byno. The Orange County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit provided a flyover during the ceremony. Chaplains from multiple agencies offered prayers; the event closed with recognition of Sergeant Rita Langley of the Orange County Sheriff's Office for 30 years of service to the memorial committee.
Organizers framed the ceremony as both remembrance and a call to continued service. The emcee noted that President John F. Kennedy signed the law in 1962 designating May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a date when communities across the nation honor officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony concluded with survivors invited to take a plant as a living memorial and uniformed personnel formally dismissed.
