by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
In a dignified, solemn ceremony, hundreds of officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, as well as officers from surrounding counties, gathered at the Police Memorial Building Wednesday morning to honor the 58 JSO members who have died in the line of duty since 1840.
One-by-one, family members of the fallen officers were escorted by a member of JSO down the steps and to the outdoor portion of the ceremony. Sheriff John Rutherford said it’s important to remember those who have fallen, but assured those in attendance that Jacksonville is still a safe place to live and work.
“Jacksonville is safer than ever,” said Rutherford. “It’s safer that it was 15 years ago. I know that.”
Mayor John Peyton also spoke to the crowd that numbered in the hundreds.
“Thirty-two hundred men and women serve in law enforcement in Jacksonville,” he said. “Those 3,200 men and women are preserving peace. Every day, these officers encounter life threatening situations.”
Peyton also read a proclamation declaring May 10 as Jacksonville Police Memorial day while also declaring May 14-20 as Police Memorial Week.