In memory of law enforcement’s fallen heroes

BY CLIFF SMELLEY

Dedication. Courage. Selflessness.

Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith used those words to describe the type of people who choose law enforcement as a career — a career that can be dangerous and result in the ultimate sacrifice of giving one’s life to serve one’s community.

Law-enforcement personnel from Bradford and Union counties as well as local Florida Department of Corrections personnel gathered at Starke’s Northside Baptist Church on May 23 to pay their respects to their fallen comrades during the 31st annual Bradford-Union Law-Enforcement Memorial.

“Today, we honor the memories of those brave individuals who gave their lives in the line of duty, and we offer our deepest gratitude to their families and loved ones for their unwavering support and sacrifice,” said Smith, who was the event’s keynote speaker. “Let us unite in solidarity to pay tribute to those fallen heroes and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values of justice, integrity and service that they exemplified.”

During his welcome to begin the service, Braford County Emergency Management Director Brad Witt asked those in attendance to reflect on the words of John 15:13 (English Standard Version): “Greater love have no man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

“Our heroes have shown us the true meaning of these words,” Witt said. “It is our duty to ensure that their memories live on, both in our hearts and continued service.”

Smith said no career in the U.S. is tougher than law enforcement, which he said also includes “our brothers and sisters in corrections, who, a lot of times, our legislators seem to forget, but we don’t, and we will not.”

Surviving family members who were escorted to their seats at the start of the service were (l-r) Lanette and Clifton Griffis, who were representing their son Hesley D. Griffis, and Donna and Donnie Jackson, who were representing Donnie’s uncle Ronald Jackson.

The memorial service included a roll call of the 34 Bradford and Union law-enforcement and corrections personnel who died while in the line of duty from 1885 through the present. Smith said their sacrifices are a cause to grieve, but not despair.

“Unlike most other careers, the brave men and women who embark on a life in law enforcement know fully that they may one day be called upon to lay down their lives in the call of duty,” Smith said. “This isn’t just a profession. It is a calling. Those we honor tonight made that choice willingly. Indeed, they embraced it. That is why their ultimate sacrifice means so much. They served and sacrificed for a purpose far greater than themselves.

“I can think of no truer definition of a hero.”

The roll call was performed by Union Sheriff Brad Whitehead, Lawtey Police Chief Jerry Feltner, Bradford Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brad Smith and Florida Department of Corrections Region 2 Director John Palmer. Prior to its start, Whitehead mentioned Union deputies Hal Croft and Ronald Jackson.

“First, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention May 23, 1961 — 63 years ago — in Union County, two young men were serving a felony warrant in Raiford on a house and were both gunned down,” Whitehead said.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office posts on social media every May 23 in remembrance of the two deputies. Whitehead said they’re never forgotten, but posting about their sacrifice every year “brings it back to life.”

“You realize the severity of what those family members have gone through,” Whitehead said.

The roll call consisted of the following:

—Sheriff George W. Epperson, Dec. 25, 1885.

Presenting the colors for the pledge and the national anthem are Bradford County Sheriff’s Office honor guard members (l-r) Cpl. Lakiesha Lewis, Detective Zach Jones and deputies Chris Gardiner and David Bukowski.

—Sheriff Henry W. Epperson, Jan. 20, 1890.

—Sheriff David Levy Alvarez, May 30, 1891.

—Deputy Andrew J. Kite, Feb. 21, 1899.

—Starke Marshal Jeff Jones, Nov. 19, 1903.

—Lawtey Marshal Henry Richarde, Nov. 19, 1903.

—Sheriff Everette E. Johns, Dec. 6, 1905.

—Sheriff Joe A. Bennett, Aug. 6, 1907.

—Sheriff J.W. Langford, Aug. 23, 1912.

—Deputy Sheriff W.T. Andrews, 1914.

—Constable Richard Bennett, March 30, 1921.

—Police Officer Leonard E. Colson, 1951.

—Assistant Superintendent James G. Godwin, April 4, 1955.

—Police Officer William Burtis Jackson, April 20, 1956.

—Deputy Sheriff Hal Croft, May 23, 1961.

—Deputy Sheriff Ronald Jackson, May 23, 1961.

Tyler Shaffer of the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office Explorers program led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance.

—Correctional Officer Howard D. Starling, July 4, 1964.

—Correctional Officer Julie Gabor Caddell, Sept. 22, 1974.

—Correctional Officer Paul Jordan, Jan. 24, 1976.

—Correctional Officer Charlie T. Foster, Nov. 27, 1976.

—Correctional Officer Richard Burke, Oct. 12, 1980.

—Correctional Officer John S. Dennard, May 5, 1983.

—Deputy Sheriff Hesley D. Griffis, May 13, 1992.

—Correctional Officer Jerome A. Williams, July 26, 1995.

—Correctional Officer William H. Shaw, July 18, 1998.

—Deputy Sheriff Renee D. Azure, Aug. 6, 2002.

—Correctional Officer Adam Sanderson, March 6, 2009.

—Correctional Officer Timothy Forehand, July 2, 2021.

Pastor Paul Samson Jr. sings the national anthem. Behind him (l-r) are Bradford Sheriff Gordon Smith, Union Sheriff Brad Whitehead and Lawtey Police Chief Jerry Feltner.

—Correctional Officer Joanie Miller, July 8, 2021.

—Sgt. Col. Abraham, July 15, 2021.

—Sgt. Charles McKinney, July 18, 2021.

—Correctional Officer Donnie Orman, July 30, 2021.

—Sgt. Lawrence Scott, Aug. 4, 2021.

—Correctional Officer Sandra Crews, Aug. 7, 2021.

Bradford Sheriff’s Office Chief of Operations George Konkel of the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office presented the Florida roll call — the names of those from anywhere in the state who died last year while in the line of duty. Pembroke Pines Police Officer Charles Herring (Feb. 9, 2023) was struck by a falling palm frond while on his motorcycle. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Aviation Enforcement Agent Esteban Pena (April 15, 2023) died from streptococcal meningitis. St. Johns County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Kunovich (May 19, 2023), who had a heart condition, died during a struggle with a suspect. Jasper Police Chief Anthony Rickerson (June 11, 2023) was killed when his vehicle struck a deer.

A moment of radio silence was observed following the roll call. The Reception and Medical Center honor guard then provided a three-volley salute outside the church, which was observed inside via video. Corrections personnel Jared Cox (a warden) and Rodney Cayton (an inspector) played “Taps.”

The service also included Bradford County Commission Chair Carolyn Spooner reading a proclamation passed by the commission. The proclamation, which designated May 2024 as Law-Enforcement Month in Bradford County, described law-enforcement personnel as “critical to the safety and security of the society that the citizens of Bradford County know and enjoy.” It also stated that law-enforcement personnel “serve without fanfare and celebration…but show a dedication and commitment to their service that is commendable.”