BUNNELL, Fla. – As twilight settled over the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, May 14, the glow of blue candles flickered softly against the evening sky. Beneath a sunset that seemed almost hand-painted across the horizon, residents, law enforcement officers, families, and community leaders gathered in solemn unity for the annual Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony — a tradition rooted in remembrance, sacrifice, and gratitude.
The sound of bagpipes drifted through the breeze as flags moved gently overhead, creating a moment that felt both deeply personal and profoundly universal. The ceremony, held during National Police Week, honored fallen law enforcement officers from Flagler County and across the United States, recognizing not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also the loved ones who continue to carry the weight of that loss every day.
A moving candlelight vigil filled the memorial ceremony with tiny blue lights, while attendees watched a touching tribute video set to The Thin Blue Line by Matt Westin. For many in attendance, the music and imagery brought tears, reflection, and a renewed appreciation for the unseen burdens carried by those behind the badge.
Among those attending the ceremony was Florida State Senator Tom Wright, who emphasized the importance of standing beside law enforcement families and honoring the sacrifices made in service to others.
“I drove from Tallahassee to be here because we should all be here to honor our men and women that have given all for our country and our community,” Wright said. “I go to all of the memorial services I can in the state because it’s just that important, I think, to show the family, and the men and women that are standing here still that we respectfully care about them.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly delivered remarks that blended history, heartbreak, and unwavering commitment to the law enforcement profession.
“President John F. Kennedy first issued a proclamation in 1962 designating May 15 as National Peace Officer Memorial Day, and the week in which it falls as National Police Week,” Staly said. “The first law enforcement memorial service was held in Washington, D.C., in 1982, and it is a tradition that continues today.”
Staly spoke candidly about the emotional toll line-of-duty deaths have on law enforcement agencies nationwide.
“The weight of the badge is not easy,” he said. “Every day, those who wear it do so in service to others. We also recognize the loved ones alongside these fallen heroes who continue to bear the burden of their sacrifices.”
He shared sobering statistics that underscored the danger officers continue to face. Florida currently ranks third in the nation for law enforcement deaths. In 2025 alone, Staly personally signed 230 condolence cards representing 115 officers killed in the line of duty across the country.
“Eleven of those cards in 2025 were for Florida,” he said. “And already in 2026, I’ve signed 40 cards for fallen heroes across the country. Two of them were killed in Florida.”
For Staly, those gestures are more than protocol — they are deeply personal.
“Those who serve are bonded by a shared sense of duty, and we feel every loss as if it were one of our own — a member of our family,” he said. “In sending these cards, it is my hope that their colleagues and loved ones know they are not alone, and how the community support stands with them forever stretches across this great country.”
Throughout the ceremony, remembrance extended beyond names etched in stone. Staly reflected on how Flagler County continues to honor those who served.
“In Flagler County, we named our training room at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and the Operations Center for our fallen heroes,” he said. “And last year, the Beverly Beach community named three canals. It’s kindness like this that makes Flagler County such a great community to serve.”
The granite memorial standing at the Sheriff’s Office served as a quiet but powerful reminder of lives dedicated to public service. They honor four deputies, two sheriffs, and now, for the first time, a fallen K9 officer.
“Sadly, in 2025, we added one canine to our memorial — K9 Pyro,” Staly said. “It was the first K9 that died in the line of duty, but one of 23 canines across this country that died in 2025.”
As candles continued to glow in the darkness, attendees paused to remember Sheriff Perry Hall, Deputy George Durrance, Sheriff Homer Brooks, Deputy Charles Sease, Sergeant Francisco Celico, Deputy First Class Paul Luciano, K9 Kyro, FHP Trooper Daryl Haywood Sr., FBI Special Agent Daniel Alfin, and Bunnell Police Department Sgt. Dominic Guida.
“Every name we honor tonight tells the story of courage, commitment, and service to others,” Staly said. “While we can never ease the loss felt by the families, we can ensure their sacrifice was not in vain. Their names will not be forgotten, and their legacies will live on through their memory and in the work we continue for them by serving and protecting our community.”
As the ceremony came to a close and the final notes of the bagpipes faded into the night air, the message remained clear, though their watch has ended, their service, sacrifice, and legacy will forever endure.
“While your watch has ended,” Staly said quietly, “we will never forget your service and your sacrifice.”
