“Ours is a profession of service and self-sacrifice. We are far too often called upon to bury our brethren.”
Those words were spoken by Sheriff John Rutherford on Wednesday during the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office’s annual Police Memorial observance.
Witnessed by family members and friends, the names of Jacksonville police officers killed since 1840 in the line of duty were read aloud and with each name, officers in the ranks responded “absent.”
One name was added to the roll call of the fallen.
Officer Mark Larson died last year from complications from injuries he suffered in 1993 during a violent altercation with a fleeing suspect. His name is the 61st placed on the roster.
A 21-gun salute, flag-folding ceremony, a missing-man fly-over by the Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Pipes and Drums performing “Amazing Grace” also were part of the remembrance.
Mayor Alvin Brown proclaimed Wednesday “Police Memorial Day” in Jacksonville.
Rutherford noted it was the last time he would attend the observance as sheriff. Each year since he joined the police force, the ceremony has had a powerful impact on him.
“Over the past 40 years, I have seen 23 names added,” he said. “Let us all remember and never forget.”
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