Tallahassee, FL (September 19, 2021) – Today, the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) honored the fallen heroes who served the law and the state of Florida in the line of duty. Thirteen names were added to the FSA Memorial Wall during the ceremony. FSA President Sheriff Bobby McCallum of Levy County joined sheriffs, community leaders, and the families of these fallen heroes at the FSA Memorial Wall to celebrate the men and women who lost their lives while serving their communities.
The memorial is dedicated to remembering those who sacrificed all and to those who put their lives on the line every day. Families and friends came out to pay their tributes to their loved ones while seeing their engraved names on the Memorial Wall.
“It takes something truly special within someone’s DNA and true heroism to give your life fighting to foster a safer and better community. These men and women are role models,” said FSA President and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. “As we reflect at the memorial about the legacy of these leaders, we find comfort in Matthew 5:9, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.’”
This afternoon, 13 names were honored at the FSA Memorial ceremony:
- Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Benjamin Nimtz| End of Watch: July 21, 2019
- Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Shannon Bennett | End of Watch: April 3, 2020
- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jose Diaz Ayala | End of Watch: April 4, 2020
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Lynn Jones | End of Watch: June 24, 2020
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Detention Deputy Richard Barry | End of Watch: July 16, 2020
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Chris Cunningham | End of Watch: August 5, 2020
- Broward County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Aldemar Rengifo | End of Watch: August 16, 2020
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Charles Pugh | End of Watch: August 18, 2020
- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Maurice Ford | End of Watch: August 29, 2020
- Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Angela Chavers | End of Watch: September 12, 2020
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Eric Twisdale | End of Watch: September 16, 2020
- Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant James LaRue Rengifo | End of Watch: November 20, 2020
- Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Major Maxwell “Randy” Dey Jr | End of Watch: November 27, 2014
Established in 2002, the Florida Sheriffs Association incorporated the granite Memorial Wall to honor sheriff’s officers who had fallen in the line of duty. It is a tribute to remember the sheriffs and deputies who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect Floridians, while respecting those who have passed. On the wall is an engraved verse that embraces these fallen heroes and the sacrifices they have made: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” -John 15:13.
Find more information on the FSA website memorial page. The ceremony was broadcast via Facebook Live on the FSA Facebook page.