Florida honors 30 deputies who fell in the line of duty; 23 of them died of COVID
The Florida Sheriffs Association added 30 names of sheriff's officers and deputies who were killed in the line of duty to the Memorial Wall during a ceremony on Monday.
COVID-19 was listed as the cause of death for 23 of the deputies.
Of the other seven, two died of vehicular assault, one was killed in a motorcycle crash and three died after heart attacks. Nassau County deputy Joshua Moyers was killed by gunfire after being shot twice during a traffic stop in September.
The granite Memorial Wall was established in 2002 to honor fallen sheriffs and deputies in Florida.
A bible verse is engraved on the wall, which signifies the sacrifices they had made.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” - John 15:13.
Family and friends came to pay their respects Monday for their loved ones who risked their lives each day.
“Being in law enforcement means you are part of a family. Today, each of these heroes has a large family and an entire state who together are mourning and who are honoring their sacrifice,” 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.’”
To date, there are more than 400 names engraved on the wall with at least one officer from 63 of Florida's 67 counties.
Names added to the FSA Memorial Wall
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Coby Seckinger| End of Watch: December 14, 2020
Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Faison | End of Watch: January 2, 2021
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Brian LaVigne | End of Watch: January 11, 2021
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jacinto Navarro, Jr. | End of Watch: January 19, 2021
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Sergeant Louis Livatino | End of Watch: January 27, 2021
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jack Gwynes | End of Watch: February 3, 2021
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Magli | End of Watch: February 17, 2021
Broward County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Shane Owens | End of Watch: March 27, 2021
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Captain Mark Elam | End of Watch: April 8, 2021
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Carlos Hernandez | End of Watch: April 11, 2021
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Craig Seijos | End of Watch: August 5, 2021
Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Lonny Hempstead | End of Watch: August 10, 2021
Leon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Nowak | End of Watch: August 12, 2021
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Steven Mazzotta | End of Watch: August 16, 2021
Pasco Sheriff’s Office Detective Raymond Williamson | End of Watch: August 16, 2021
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jody Hull, Jr. | End of Watch: August 21, 2021
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Harry Cieszynski, Jr. | End of Watch: August 23, 2021
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Broadhead | End of Watch: August 23, 2021
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Douglas Clark | End of Watch: August 25, 2021
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Webb | End of Watch: August 25, 2021
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Paul Luciano | End of Watch: August 26, 2021
Clay County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Clint Seagle | End of Watch: August 29, 2021
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy William Diaz | End of Watch: August 31, 2021
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Detective Tommy Breedlove | End of Watch: September 4, 2021
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Neau | End of Watch: September 5, 2021
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Moyers | End of Watch: September 26, 2021
Bay County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tony Bruce | End of Watch: September 27, 2021
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Welge | End of Watch: October 21, 2021
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Francesco Celico | End of Watch: September 9, 2011
Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Steven Dodson | End of Watch: August 7, 2017
Reach photojournalist Alicia Devine at adevine@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @alicia_c_devine. Check out her photos on Instagram @adevinephotography.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Sheriffs Association honors 30 who died; 23 were from COVID-19
