Fallen Officers Honored at Annual Law Enforcement Memorial
Alexandria, La. (May 14, 2019)— Officers from the Alexandria Police Department joined representatives of numerous other area law enforcement agencies at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Rapides Parish Courthouse for the 2019 Annual Law Enforcement Memorial. Alexandria Police Chief Jerrod King presided over the somber tribute to fallen law enforcement officers.
In 2018, 163 officers lost their lives nationally, King said. Louisiana lost five officers, ranking seventh in the nation, and in 2019, 41 law enforcement officials have died in the line of duty to date.
“Most of us never truly understand the value of public safety in our community unless they are in law enforcement, public service or a first responder,” said Alexandria Mayor Jeffery W. Hall in the keynote address. “We do not appreciate the danger until the evening news announces that we have lost yet another officer while he or she was trying to protect us. But here is where we acknowledge the unanticipated and unwelcomed ‘End of Watch,’ the ultimate sacrifice. Today – right now – we must pledge with all our hearts to never forget, never take for granted and be grateful for their service and the service of all our law enforcement members. A grateful community is one that never forgets.”
Following the Mayor’s remarks was the laying of a memorial wreath, a roll call of 35 fallen law enforcement officers and a 21-gun salute.
“Unlike many other careers, men and women who choose a life in law enforcement know and accept that they might one day be called upon to lay down their lives in the call of duty,” Hall said. “Those we honor made that choice willingly, in fact they embraced it. That’s why their ultimate sacrifice means so much. These brave officers gave their lives to protect our safety. There is no truer definition of a hero.”
Agencies taking part in the ceremony include Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshal, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Alexandria City Marshal, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Pineville City Marshal, Rapides Parish District Attorney, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Constable Office, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ball Police Department, Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Those fallen officers honored Tuesday include:
• Constable Michael W. Baillo, RPCO, end of watch 7/19/1897
• Constable Hezekiah J. Reeves, PPD, end of watch 12/24/1901
• Officer Benjamin Aymond, APD, end of watch 11/11/1904
• Officer Joseph D. James, APD, end of watch 12/4/1908
• Deputy J.W. LaCaze, RPSO, end of watch 1/24/1909
• Officer G.M. Lanius, APD, end of watch 8/2/1909
• Deputy John Phillips, RPSO, end of watch 5/13/1928
• Deputy Eugene C. Brister, RPSO, end of watch 4/20/1940
• Sheriff Wyatt L. Nugent, GPSO, end of watch 4/21/1936
• Chief Deputy Delmer Brunson, GPSO, end of watch 4/21/1936
• Trooper Ulis Floyd, LSP, end of watch 2/24/1952
• Trooper James N. Polland, LSP, end of watch 11/20/1956
• Deputy Lason R. Cope, RPSO, end of watch 12/3/1966
• Deputy Marshal Melder, GPD, end of watch 3/20/1970
• Officer Jackie T. Thiels, APD, end of watch 3/8/1971
• Sergeant Lamon Weaver, LSP, end of watch 4/17/1973
• Sergeant Clarence J. Miller, Jr., LSP, end of watch 12/4/1975
• Deputy Benton Bordelon, RPSO, end of watch 4/16/1977
• Trooper William M. Kees, LSP, end of watch 2/5/1983
• Deputy James Normand, RPSO, end of watch 11/8/1986
• Deputy U.S. Marshal William Degan, Jr., end of watch 8/21/1992
• Deputy James Lee Clarius, JPSO, end of watch 10/5/1996
• Special Agent Leonard Hatton, FBI, end of watch 9/11/2001
• Patrolman Jeremy Carruth, APD, end of watch 2/20/2003
• Private First Class David Ezernack, APD, end of watch 2/20/2003
• Deputy Alexandria City Marshall Glen Devanie, end of watch 4/2/2003
• Private First Class Brian Coleman, APD, end of watch 2/21/2007
• Assistant District Attorney Camille J. Giordano II, RPDA, end of watch 10/4/2007
• Detective Robert Beane, BPSO, end of watch 5/5/2009
• Officer Russell George, BPD, end of watch 6/26/2011
• Deputy Rickey R. Issac, Jr., NPSO, end of watch 12/8/2012
• Deputy Steven Netherland, VPSO, end of watch 6/24/2013
• Pineville City Marshal Larry W. Jeane, end of watch 7/20/2014
• Assistant Chief Carl Bordelon, BPD, end of watch 1/10/2015
• Corporal Robert Johnson, RPSO, end of watch 5/31/2016.
Contact:
Cynthia D. Jardon
Communications
318.449.5025
cynthia.jardon@cityofalex.com
