- May 12, 2023
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Ormond Beach Police Officer Stephen Brugone salutes during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Motor unit officers and deputies from law enforcement agencies in Volusia and Flagler counties line up for the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Officers Richard Taylor and Josh Morris stand beside their motorcycles during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey speaks during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Daytona Beach Police Officer Fertz Gaspard, of his department's Honor Guard, leads the posting of the colors during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Port Orange Police Sgt. Andre Fleming salutes during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Flagler County Sheriff's Office Chief David Williams reads "A Hero's Welcome" during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Tiffany Grim, daughter of fallen Ormond Beach Police Officer Robert Grim, sings the national anthem during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Edgewater Police Detective Stephen Matthews and Sgt. Scott Gaboury hold the ceremonial wreath during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, second from left, stands among other members of the Volusia Sheriff's Office during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Capt. Chris Roos, Officer Danielle Henderson and Capt. DW Smith listen to the speakers during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly speaks during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Flagler County Sheriff's Office Deputy Mike Spinelli and Sgt. Frank Gamarra stand side by side during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Michael Gardner stands beside his patrol vehicle during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Edgewater Police Detective Stephen Matthews and Sgt. Scott Gaboury carry the ceremonial wreath during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County Councilman Matt Reinhart reads a proclamation during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Orange City Police Department Chief Wayne Miller leads the roll call for fallen officers during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Flagler County Sheriff's Office Deputy Mike Spinelli and Sgt. Frank Gamarra salute during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia Sheriff's Office Deputy Peter Carelli salutes during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Daytona Beach Police Officer King salutes during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Edgewater Police Detective Stephen Matthews carries the ceremonial wreath during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Edgewater Police Detectives Stephen Matthews and Sgt. Scott Gaboury place the ceremonial wreath during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Volusia County Honor Guard performs the three volley salute during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Coastal Florida Police, Fire Pipes and Drums performs during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A bass drummer with the Coastal Florida Police, Fire Pipes and Drums performs during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A member of the Coastal Florida Police, Fire Pipes and Drums plays the snare drum during the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19, at Daytona Memorial Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Five hundred fifty-six names were added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington during National Police Week on May 14-20, memorializing officers who died in recent years. The memorial bears 23,785 names, including 36 from Volusia and Flagler counties, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said at the 2023 Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday, May 19.
“The fallen heroes that we are remembering today made the ultimate sacrifice for their community, our cities, our county and our country,” Staly said. “They put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and uphold the law. They deserve our utmost respect and gratitude, and we will never forget their bravery and service.”
That’s what the memorial service is about, said Staly, who was the event’s guest speaker. Held at Daytona Memorial Park, the service honored the 36 officers, as well as two K-9s, who have died in both counties since 1895. Staly acknowledged the grieving families in attendance.
In 2021, five officers in Volusia and Flagler counties died in the line of duty: Sgt. Justin White, of the Port Orange Police Department; Officer Adam Webb, of the Daytona Beach Police Department; Sgt. Dominic Guida, of the Bunnell Police Department; and Officer Jason Raynor, of the Daytona Beach Police Department. Raynor was shot while on patrol. There were no Flagler or Volusia law enforcement deaths in 2022 or so far in 2023.
Nationwide, 246 law enforcement officers died in 2022, and 42 have died in the line of duty this year, Staly said. The majority of their deaths were from gunfire, Staly added.
Hearts are heavy every day when remembering the fallen, he added, but grow more so as the trial for the suspect in Raynor’s shooting approaches.
“But the thin blue line is strong, and we will be there for each other and the Raynor family, as together, we seek justice for our fallen heroes,” Staly said.
