- May 19, 2023
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Family of Deputy George “Son” Durrance is escorted to place a rose on the wreath. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The memorial for fallen law enforcement officers at the Flagler County Sheriff's Office's Operations Center. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Gregory Young, a member of the law enforcement motorcycle group, during the 2023 memorial service's candlelight vigil. Young is a retired federal officer. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin places a rose in honor of his son, Daniel Alfin, who died in the line of duty in 2021. Photo by Sierra Williams.
FCSO Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge during the candlelight vigil. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Members of the FCSO Honor Guard bracket the memorial stone for fallen officers. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The FCSO Honor Guard presented the colors ahead of the service. Photo by Sierra Williams.
FCSO Chief David Williams opened the memorial service. Photo by Sierra Williams.
A member of the FCSO Honor Guard salutes during the national anthem. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The FCSO Honor Guard presenting the colors. Photo by Sierra Williams.
FCSO Commander Kenny Goncalves sings the national anthem. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Sheriff Rick Staly gave a short speech at the service and escorted family members while they placed roses for the fallen officers. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The service was held in front of the FCSO's Operations Center, which has two memorial stones for fallen officers and K-9 partners. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Family members of the officers honored at the service were invited to sit in front of the memorial stone. Photo by Sierra Williams.
A member of the FCSO Honor Guard during the service. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Members of the Knights of Columbus during the service. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Sheriff Rick Staly escorts a family member of Sheriff Homer W. Brooks back to her seat. Photo by Sierra Williams.
A family member of Deputy Sheriff Charles T. "Chuck" Sease places a rose in his honor. Photo by Sierra Williams.
A FCSO Honor Guard looks on as Finita Celico, mother to Sgt. Francesco L. "Frankie" Celico, places a rose for her son. Photo by Sierra Williams.
An FCSO Honor Guard member escorts Carrie Luciano, the wife FCSO Deputy First Class Paul Luciano. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Carrie Luciano places a rose to honor her husband, FCSO Deputy First Class Paul Luciano, with Sheriff Rick Staly at her side. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Sheriff Rick Staly and members of the FCSO Honor Guard salute fallen officers. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin receives a rose to place in honor of his son. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Sheriff Rick Staly salutes for Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin's son, FBI Special Agent Daniel Alfin. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Bunnell Police Department Chief David Brannon escorts Kayla Spicher, the niece of BPD Sgt. Dominic Guida. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Kayla Spicher, the niece of BPD Sgt. Dominic Guida, places a rose in honor of her uncle. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Bunnell Police Department Chief David Brannon escorts Kayla Spicher, the niece of BPD Sgt. Dominic Guida. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Commander Kenny Goncalves. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The memorial service included a candlelight vigil. Photo by Sierra Williams.
The memorial service included a candlelight vigil. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Sheriff Rick Staly holds a candle in remembrance of the fallen officers. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin looks on during the candlelight vigil for the fallen officers. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri kneels during the candlelight vigil. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Bunnell Police Department Chief David Brannon salutes his fellow officers during the final moments of the service. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Members of the Knights of Columbus hold their ceremonial swords aloft during the service. Photo by Sierra Williams.
Nine law enforcement officers who died in service were remembered at a ceremony held in front of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s Operations Center on May 11.
The Sheriff’s Office honored the officers and their families with a memorial service and candlelight vigil at the Operations Center’s memorial stones.
For each officer, family members or FCSO Honor Guard deputies placed a red rose on a star-shaped flower arrangement.
“Behind every fallen officer, there is a family who also bears the burden of their loss,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.
The ceremony honored the six FCSO officers and three officers from sister agencies:
“These are the heroes that run toward danger, while others run away,” Staly said.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin placed a rose on the wreath for his son, F.B.I. Special Agent Daniel Alfin, who died in action alongside his partner two years ago.
“We never know when the devil’s hand of loss and tragedy will grab us by the gut,” Alfin said. “This particular moment — honoring the family that we’ve lost at the new Sheriff’s Operation Center — is really a very special moment.”
Staly, who has served in law enforcement for his entire career, said it is every sheriff’s worst fear to lose an officer. He lost six deputies as an undersheriff in Orange County, he said, and one as Flagler County’s sheriff.
“The reason I take it so personal is that they are serving on behalf of me,” he said. “I take it very personal, and I think that we need to always remember the fallen heroes.”
The new Operations Center has two memorial stones on its front lawn: one commemorating officers that have died in the line of duty, and one commemorating K-9 partners. In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office lost two K-9s — K-9 Keanu and retired K-9 Repo — to illness and old age.
Staly said that as personal as the loss of a deputy is for him, it’s important to remember the family members who were left behind have lost the most.
“We need to do everything we can to support them and know that that service was not in vain,” Staly said.
