Under threatening skies, active and retired law enforcement officers, plus military veterans, friends and supporters came out to Veterans’ Memorial Park in The Villages Friday morning for a solemn ceremony to honor police officers who have died in the line of duty — and to raise awareness of the risks law officers undertake every day to keep the peace.
VMP Chaplain, Don Doggett read the Police Officer’s Prayer.
“Lord, I ask for courage — courage to face and conquer my own fears. Courage to take me where others will not go. I ask for strength — strength of body to protect others — and strength of spirit to lead others. I ask for dedication — dedication to my job, to do it well. Dedication to my community — to keep it safe. Give me, Lord, concern for others who trust me and compassion for those who need me. And, please Lord, through it all, be at my side.”
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors and, toward the end of the ceremony, placed a colorful wreath with patches from the Lady Lake and Leesburg Police Departments, plus the Marion and Sumter County Sheriff’s Offices. The Veterans’ Memorial Park and Jewish War Veterans paraded the colors. Banners from all the U.S. armed forces and local military veterans groups, plus the DAR were also displayed.
Longtime supporter of the Veterans’ Memorial Park, Harold Sievers enjoyed the proceedings, as did Lady Lake Mayor Ruth Kussard and Lady Lake Commissioner Paul Hannan. VMP Secretary Charlaine Zopfi, from the Puc Puggy Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lt.Comm. Fran Pagliarulo (USN Ret.) sang the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. Piper Kevin Selfridge entoned all the military service anthems plus “Amazing Grace,” and Jerry Peacock provided drumbeats to add solemnity to the occasion.
Lady Lake Police chaplain, Danny Harvey brought his grandson, Owen Myer, to witness the proceedings.
Lady Lake Police Chief Chris McKinstry offered a quotation from President John F. Kennedy: ‘A nation reveals itself by the men it produces, by the men it honors and by the men it remembers.”
“If JFK were speaking today,” Chief McKinstry said, “he would of course say the men and women it remembers — because both men and women play important roles in law enforcement. Today we are here to remember our fallen heroes and why their names are on our memorial walls. Their names are inscribed because they put the lives of others above their own safety. Nothing we can say or do will ease the pain of their loss — to their families and their communities.”
“They are not only heroes because of how they died,” McKinstry continued, “but because of how they lived. They exhibited courage every single day  — whether they wore plain clothes, a badge or a star. When we leave home in the morning, we never know how our day will turn out. We are people with strong personalities. Sometimes we agree and sometimes we disagree about procedures and issues — but one thing we all agree about — and what is most important of all — is when we receive a call ‘officer down’ — all our brothers and sisters respond.  It brings to mind John 15:13… ‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’
“The ones who have given their all — all used to be the ones who gave some — until one tragic day,” the Chief said solemnly. “Police officers are eye witnesses to man’s inhumanity to man — they see close up and personally how evil some can be. Doing this job takes a toll on all of us and our families. And it is made much worse by the criticism of some media — who seek not to help, but to exploit despicable behaviors. Ferguson, New York City, Baltimore — some media have lost sight of just how complex and challenging it is for the cops on the street. Despite all this, we continue to seek justice, to protect citizens in our communities and to keep the peace.”
“We pledge to honor the stories [of the fallen law enforcement officers]; they are with us today in memory and in spirit. We rededicate our lives to the cause they died for — to bring us closer together and to strengthen us.”
Lady Lake resident Richard Griffith, retired Sheriff’s Office Lt. Commander from Prince William County, Virginia, was moved by the Chief’s talk. Griffith thanked McKinstry for his words of wisdom — and the important support and encouragement he gave officers in the community.
Brand new Buttonwood Village resident, Michael Delahunty, retired from 20 years of California, Colorado and Nevada law enforcement, thought the memorial observance was wonderful.
“In the 1970s and 80s, I buried 18 officer friends — it is hard to even think about it now, because all cops’ blood runs blue — we are all brothers and sisters.”  Delahunty told those gathered how he tried to obtain a Florida  ‘support your police’ license tag — but was told the Department of Motor Vehicles needed one thousand requests before they could order such a tag. “I encourage you and your neighbors to show you support your local police by requesting this type of tag. If enough of us ask for it, we will get it.”
Richard Shrader from Virginia, who retired after 25 years in law enforcement pointed out how being an officer today is very different.
“Police today — our sons and daughters and grandchildren, have a tough road ahead. We hope the communities will continue to support their police and our ultimate goals of safe, peaceful lives.”
