Fallen officers honored during Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony
Photos courtesy of CCSO.
On May 15, 2023, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) hosted the 2023 Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony to recognize the personal sacrifice and selfless service of law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The ceremony was held at the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial, located at the sheriff’s office headquarters, 1 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Inverness, Florida.
The ceremony began with a welcome message, followed by a prayer led by CCSO Chaplain Pastor Joseph Ponds, Jr. The CCSO Honor Guard made a Presentation of the Colors and performed Taps. Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast closed the ceremony with a memorial tribute, honoring those who have given their lives to serve and protect their communities.
"Each and every day across this country, brave men and women choose to put on the uniform of their community, their state, or our nation, clip on the badge, and holster their weapon, knowing they may not come home," said Sheriff Prendergast. "Knowing this, these heroes still don the very cloth of the uniform for the people they serve and go to work each and every day. It is, indeed, a special calling to serve in this noble profession."
Since 1776, 26,283 law enforcement officers in the United Stated have died in the line of duty. In 2022 alone, 245 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. Every single one of these remarkable individuals was killed while dedicating their lives to protecting their fellow citizens.
Citrus County has sadly lost three members of their own work family in the line of duty:
Master Detective Aubrey Fred Johnson
End of Watch (EOW): February 11, 1997 - Cause: Automobile crash
Deputy Sheriff James McIntosh McMullen
EOW: December 26, 1899 - Cause: Gunfire
City Marshal J.W. Newsome
EOW: March 3, 1908 - Cause: Gunfire
"Our profession is not for the weak. It is a commitment to put yourself in harm's way to unwaveringly serve, protect, and save others," continued Sheriff Prendergast. "God bless those officers that have given their all in the performance of their duties."