TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Honoring The Fallen

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Colonel John Czernis, director of Florida Highway Patrol, speaks about fallen comrade Sgt. Nicholas Sottile during the Peace Officers' Memorial Day ceremony Friday in Sebring.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: May 10, 2008

SEBRING — It was a somber atmosphere Friday at the Highlands County Government Center boardroom when close to 200 people gathered to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

"It's not how they died that made them heroes, but how they lived," quoted on the memorial program from America's Most Wanted.

While Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Sottile was the single casualty in Highlands County when he was shot and killed on Jan. 12, 2007, there were 16 law enforcement officers who died last year in Florida in the line of duty.

There were 187 officers killed nationwide in 2007, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page Inc.
Law enforcement officers representing all three municipalities, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office and staff members, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Avon Park Correctional Institution, as well as several elected officials, officers of the court, the clergy, the public and family members of two of the fallen attended.

On the bagpipes deputy sheriff Bob Campbell and Manatee County Sheriff's Det. Richard Murray led the honor guard into the county commission chambers, followed by members of the U.S. Military Motorcycle Club and the Nam Knights of Highlands County who carried a solid blue memorial wreath shaped like a police badge.

After the pledge of allegiance led by Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan, the invocation given by Lake Placid Police Chief Phil Williams and a welcome from Sheriff Susan Benton, it was time for the guest speaker.

Ray Cameron, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid, where Sgt. Sottile, attended church, reminded the assembly that being a law enforcement officer is a God-given calling.

"It's an honor to be here today," Cameron said. "And we wish we weren't here today... They are real people behind the badges. They are husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, with children."

He said to remember the families; to care about their humanity and their needs.

Entertainment was provided by First Presbyterian's praise and worship leader Pat Hines, who gave a musical salute, singing "Brothers in Arms," while accompanying himself on the guitar.

Florida Highway Patrol Col. John Czernis told the audience that the patrol has suffered 42 deaths total.
"They made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the citizens to make Florida a better place to live," he said.
Deputy J.P. Fane read a poem titled "When The Lord Was Creating Cops."

Sebring Police Commander Steve Carr read the roll call of the fallen, accompanied by a slide show.
Sebring High School student Cody Green played taps.

The benediction was led by Col. Darrell Green, chief correctional officer with the Avon Park Correctional Institution.

The memorial was held in conjunction with the upcoming National Police Week, to be held May 11 through May 17. Law enforcement officers cover their badges with a black ribbon and will fly blue ribbons from vehicle antennas to honor the fallen.

By an act of Congress, May 15 has been declared Peace Officer's Memorial Day.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT