Saturday, May 15th is the official Peace Officers Memorial Day. In tribute of this national day of remembrance the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) hosted the 2021 Fallen Officer Memorial and Candlelight Vigil on Thursday evening, May 13th.  The event was held outside of the Flagler County Courthouse where participants were able to observe the service.

The Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, St. John’s Sheriff’s Office, the Knights of Columbus, the FCSO Honor Guard, and FCSO Chaplains were all featured during the ceremony and paid tribute to fallen law enforcement officers near and far.

“In 2020, 362 extraordinary officers laid down their lives in service of others,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “These men and women ran toward danger instead of away from it. 18 of the officers that died in 2020 were from Florida. And, so far in 2021, 125 officers from around the country have died and 10 of those officers who were killed in the line of duty were from Florida. Memorial services like this one serves as a reminder of the price that is paid by some to keep the peace for many.”

The ceremony honored all law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.  The names of the five fallen law enforcement officers from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were read aloud while family members of the fallen placed a single rose in front of the memorial banner.  They are: Sheriff Perry Hall, End of Watch August 21, 1927; Deputy George “Son” Durrance, End of Watch August 24, 1927; Sheriff Homer Brooks, End of Watch March 23, 1965; Deputy Charles “Chuck” Sease, End of Watch July 5, 2003; and Sergeant Francesco “Frankie” Celico, End of Watch September 9, 2011.

Thank you to all who attended and shared in the 2021 FCSO Fallen Officers Memorial ceremony.

In case you missed it, video of the ceremony can be seen here:

https://www.facebook.com/flaglersheriff/videos/195257649089266

Video of the memorial video shown during the ceremony can be seen here:

https://fb.watch/5u9exqRzs/

Media Release:

Date: May 15, 2021

Prepared by: Shannon Martin

Phone and Email: (386) 281-9733; martin@flaglersheriff.com Release #: 2021-109