Law Enforcement Memorial Service Held At American Police Hall of Fame

By  //  May 17, 2015

National Law Enforcement Officer Week

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Those in attendance Fiday night and the thousands of others holding similar ceremonies across our great nation were standing in unity. An incredible family who joined together to recognize service and sacrifice in honor of those who have given their lives in the performance of their duty. – Sheriff Wayne Ivey

I would ask that as you go about your day please take a moment to thank the next law enforcement officer you see for their service. Believe me, that smile, hand shake or pat on the back is a truly powerful message that he or she will forever cherish.  – Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff

BREBARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – On Friday night, the American Police Hall of Fame hosted a Law Enforcement Memorial Service for Officers that have died in the line of duty. The annual event is in recognition of slain Law Enforcement Officers from around the country who’s family and friends gathered together to honor their memory.

Those in attendance, and the thousands of others holding similar ceremonies across our great nation, were standing in unity. An incredible family who joined together to recognize service and sacrifice in honor of those who have given their lives in the performance of their duty.

The ceremony was sullen as the names of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice were read. Each name proudly memorialized for their passion and memory, as they were a spouse, mom, dad, son, daughter, brother, sister or friend.

All lost shared a common bond, the desire to protect their communities and a willingness to stand against evil. They didn’t make that choice for money or prestige, but for the love of the job, and a passion for service.

In 2014 there were 126 Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty throughout the United States. That figure represents a 24 percent increase in Law Enforcement Officer fatalities.

American-Police-Hall-of-Fame-&-Museum-369-1For the past 35 years I have served proudly as a Law Enforcement Officer, and quite honestly, could never imagine doing anything else. I grew up being taught that Law Enforcement Officers were our heroes and were to be respected as public servants.

But today, we see Law Enforcement Officers being physically and verbally attacked for their service. Through some unexplainable twist of morality, everything that happens is now law enforcement’s fault, not those who intended on victimizing our communities.

Just 14 years ago, Law Enforcement Officers were heralded as heroes as they, along with our Firefighters, ran into the World Trade Center to save lives as it collapsed around them. y

Yet today, they are the victim’s of malicious attacks from those who think its okay to harm the very men and women who stand to protect them as they sleep safely.

Resolution Supports Brevard County Law Enforcement OfficersRelated Story:
Resolution Supports Brevard County Law Enforcement Officers

When did that become okay? When did it become okay to turn on those that protect us?

It didn’t, and it never will! I am proud to tell you that in Brevard County we are truly blessed to have an incredible community that respect us, that trust us and that has partnered with us to fight crime and protect our community.

For that, we will forever be grateful, as there is no greater tribute than to have the respect and admiration of our citizens and community!

To those who speak ill of us and the job we do, I respond by saying, we are truly blessed to live in a country where everyone has the right to peacefully express their opinion. I can only hope that your opinion, if negative, will become positive as we stand as your first and only line of defense to protect you from crime.

I hope that your thoughts and actions are positive when your loved one is missing and we respond in force to help, but more than anything else, I will prey for the safety of our heroes who have been dispatched to protect us.

To those who speak ill of us and the job we do, I respond by saying, we are truly blessed to live in a country where everyone has the right to peacefully express their opinion. I can only hope that your opinion, if negative, will become positive as we stand as your first and only line of defense to protect you from crime.

I hope that your thoughts and actions are positive when your loved one is missing and we respond in force to help, but more than anything else, I will pray for the safety of our heroes who have been dispatched to protect us.

To those who would attack us with ill will and hatred, and an evil intent to hurt or kill, let there be no doubt – we are a unified family. No matter what color of uniform or shape of badge on our chest, we will respond with swift justice against anyone who attempts to harm us or our citizens, who we took an oath to protect.

Memorial services are about passion and honor. Passion for our lost loved ones and those who continue to serve. No one joins this profession just to have something to do. Law Enforcement Officers are different, different because of their passion and commitment for doing a job that requires them to put their own life in harm’s way to protect others.

 I am proud to tell you that in Brevard County we are truly blessed to have an incredible community that respect us, that trust us and that has partnered with us to fight crime and protect our community. – Sheriff Wayne Ivey
I am proud to tell you that in Brevard County we are truly blessed to have an incredible community that respect us, that trust us and that has partnered with us to fight crime and protect our community. – Sheriff Wayne Ivey

They are different because they each live with the distinct possibility that each and every shift may be the last time they see their family and friends.

Different because for far too many, that possibility becomes reality.

On Friday night we stood together to remember our fallen heroes who have gone home and are resting in peace knowing that they were servants, peacemakers and protectors.

Please join me in thanking the Police Hall of Fame and every group or civic organization who reached out to the survivors of our heroes in love and support. And please take a moment to pause in silence and reflection for our heroes who each has made the ultimate sacrifice. For in America, our heroes live on in our hearts forever.

I would also ask that as you go about your day please take a moment to thank the next law enforcement officer you see for their service.

Believe me, that smile, hand shake or pat on the back is a truly powerful message that he or she will forever cherish.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey

Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft.

That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.

The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.

Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.

Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.