YBOR CITY, Fla. -- Families of fallen Hillsborough County law enforcement officers gathered to remember their loved ones at a service Wednesday morning.
- Annual memorial honors county officers fallen since 1845
- Gov. Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi in attendance
- 44 LEOs statewide have died in line of duty in last 8 years
The Sheriff’s Office held its annual memorial to honor the 16 men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving Hillsborough County dating back to 1845.
The names of the deceased were read aloud and a bell was rung in their honor. Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Sheriff Chad Chronister all spoke at the service.
“This is your time to be proud,” Chronister said to the families. “I know your heart still aches. I need you to know mine always will. But I hope this small token of effort serves as a constant reminder that no matter how long it’s been, your loved one will never be forgotten.”
Norman Hutchinson, who lost his father, Auxiliary Sergeant Lee Hutchinson in an accident while he was responding to a call in 1970, spoke highly of the service.
“I know that because of something like this there will always be someone remembering all of the 16 deputies, and hope to God there's no more than that,” said Hutchinson.
According to Gov. Scott, 44 law enforcement officers statewide have died in the line of duty over the last eight years.