Local Law Enforcement Officers, Citizens Pay Tribute To Fallen Officers

Video: Chief Deputy Scott Miller

Local law enforcement agencies and citizens gathered at the Lafayette County Courthouse at 11 a.m. to pay tribute to fallen officers in recognition of National Police Week.

The event is hosted by Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association. Candy Williams, secretary and treasurer for Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association, said they have hosted this event for approximately 15 to 20 years.

She said in an email, “My hope would be that we as a community continue to support our law enforcement officers and their families. What these men and women do every day may seem ordinary or routine to some, but what they do is extraordinary. Their training and work never stops, they spend endless hours away from their families, missing meals, birthdays, holidays, etc. when the unthinkable happens they are there offering support and shedding tears with us, because they too live in this community. Each day they pin on their badge on their uniform, put on their duty belt, holster their weapon, that is the only thing routine about what they do.”

The ceremony opened with Rev. Fish Robinson of Community Church in Oxford leading a prayer and opening remarks from Chief Deputy Scott Miller. The national anthem was performed by future Ole Miss student, Lucie Farese.

The Oxford Police Department, Ole Miss Police Department, MDOT, Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department and many more law enforcement agencies gave a report on their offices and thanked the public for its support.

MBN Agent, Terry Spillers, was the guest speaker for the event. Agent Spillers reported one fatality within the MBN offices, which was the late Agent Lee Tart. Spillers spoke of Tart’s willingness to serve and his faith in Christ to encourage others.

After Spillers had spoken, Haley Purdy played taps as officers lowered the courthouse flags to half mass in memory of the police officers who have lost their lives. Followed by the lowering of the flags was a 21 gun salute by the Oxford Police Department Honor Guard.

Emily Newton is a staff reporter for hottytoddy.com and the editor of Experience Oxford magazine. She can be reached at emily.newton@hottytoddy.com. 

Jac Bedrossian is an intern for hottytoddy.com and is a student at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at jacbtv@aol.com.

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