Osceola County Honors Fallen Law Enforcement Officers During 2026 Memorial Ceremony in Kissimmee
KISSIMMEE — Law enforcement officers, elected officials, family members, and community residents gathered Wednesday morning at Bible Baptist Church in Kissimmee for the 2026 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, a solemn tribute honoring the lives and sacrifices of Osceola County officers and correctional personnel who died in the line of duty and beyond.
Hosted with participation from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Kissimmee Police Department, St. Cloud Police Department, and Osceola County Corrections, the ceremony served as a moment of remembrance, reflection, and unity for the community and the law enforcement profession.
The morning ceremony began with a welcome from Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Ron Roberts, followed by the posting of colors by the Multi-Agency Honor Guard and the National Anthem performed by Viviana Sosa.
Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Major Luis Sterling delivered the invocation, while Captain Lenita King of Florida Highway Patrol introduced elected officials and keynote speaker Major Mark Castleberry of FHP. Osceola County Corrections Chief Keith Neely also addressed attendees during the ceremony.
One of the most emotional moments came during the Presentation of Wreaths and Roll Call of Heroes, led by Kissimmee Police Chief Charles Broadway and St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, as the names of fallen officers were remembered aloud.
“This memorial is about making sure the men and women who gave everything in service to their communities are never forgotten,” said St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke during the ceremony. “Every single day, law enforcement officers put on the badge and go to work not knowing if they will make it home to their families. Today, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we stand beside the families, friends, and fellow officers who continue to carry their memory forward every day.”
The ceremony also included a musical selection of “Because of the Brave,” the traditional “10-7 Message” delivered by Anna Meyer of the Sanford Regional Communications Center and Florida Highway Patrol, and a bagpipe tribute by Officer Michael Rivera of the University of Central Florida Police Department.
During the memorial, organizers honored Osceola County law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, including:
- Sheriff Levin Reuben Farmer, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office — End of Watch: September 28, 1933
- Patrolman Thomas Bartholomew, Kissimmee Police Department — End of Watch: July 18, 1983
- Sergeant Doug Persons, Kissimmee Police Department — End of Watch: April 27, 1993
- Deputy Troy Babin, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office — End of Watch: November 12, 1994
- Detective Michael Ford, St. Cloud Police Department — End of Watch: June 22, 1996
- Lieutenant Roger Haddock, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office — End of Watch: March 2, 2000
- Officer Matthew Baxter, Kissimmee Police Department — End of Watch: August 18, 2017
- Sergeant Richard “Sam” Howard, Kissimmee Police Department — End of Watch: August 19, 2017
- Deputy Michael Webb, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office — End of Watch: August 25, 2021
The ceremony also recognized officers and correctional personnel from Osceola County agencies who passed away outside the line of duty, honoring their years of service and dedication to their communities.
Those recognized included:
Kissimmee Police Department
- Officer Ricardo Dickson
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
- Lieutenant Tony Harris
- Deputy Steve Norred
- Deputy Tommy Tompkins
- Detective Vernon Watson
- Sergeant Mike Setvin
- Deputy Jack Owens
- Deputy Angela McDonald
- Lieutenant David Snyder
- Deputy Donald Lee Shearer
- Deputy Charles W. Longson
- Deputy Luke Rehwoldt
- Deputy William Burnham
- Deputy Craig Lincourt
- Lieutenant Donald Minervino
- Deputy Jason Roberts
St. Cloud Police Department
- Captain Boyd Graham
Osceola County Corrections Department
- Officer Jackie Majors
- Officer Eulas Jody Talley
- Officer Ken Rosenberg
- Sergeant James Taussig
- Officer Paris Williams
- Sergeant Rafael Morales
- Officer Christopher White
- Officer Michelle Coggins-Gibbs
As the ceremony concluded, attendees stood together in silence and reflection, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and lasting legacy of those who dedicated their lives to protecting and serving Osceola County. A solemn 21-gun salute then echoed across the church grounds before Echo Taps was performed, bringing the memorial service to an emotional conclusion as those in attendance paused to remember the fallen heroes. 🖤💙
Osceola Honra a los Oficiales Caídos Durante la Ceremonia Conmemorativa de las Fuerzas del Orden 2026 en Kissimmee
KISSIMMEE — Oficiales de las fuerzas del orden, funcionarios electos, familiares y residentes de la comunidad se reunieron el miércoles por la mañana en Bible Baptist Church en Kissimmee para la Ceremonia Conmemorativa de las Fuerzas del Orden 2026, un solemne homenaje a los oficiales y personal correccional del Condado Osceola que fallecieron en cumplimiento del deber y fuera de él.
La ceremonia contó con la participación de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado Osceola, la Patrulla de Carreteras de Florida, el Departamento de Policía de Kissimmee, el Departamento de Policía de St. Cloud y Correcciones del Condado Osceola.
Uno de los momentos más emotivos ocurrió durante la Presentación de Coronas y el Pase de Lista de los Héroes, dirigido por el jefe de policía de Kissimmee Charles Broadway y el jefe de policía de St. Cloud Douglas Goerke.
“Este memorial trata de asegurar que los hombres y mujeres que dieron todo al servicio de sus comunidades nunca sean olvidados,” dijo Goerke. “Todos los días, los oficiales salen a trabajar sin saber si regresarán a casa con sus familias. Hoy honramos a quienes hicieron el máximo sacrificio.”
Durante la ceremonia también se recordó a los oficiales caídos en cumplimiento del deber y a otros miembros de las agencias locales que fallecieron fuera del servicio, reconociendo sus años de dedicación a la comunidad.
Al concluir la ceremonia, los asistentes guardaron silencio mientras una solemne salva de 21 disparos resonó en los terrenos de la iglesia antes de la interpretación de Echo Taps, cerrando el homenaje con un emotivo tributo a los héroes caídos. 🖤💙
Osceola Homenageia Oficiais Caídos em Cerimônia Memorial 2026
KISSIMMEE — Oficiais das forças de segurança, familiares e líderes comunitários se reuniram em Kissimmee para a Cerimônia Memorial das Forças da Ordem 2026, homenageando homens e mulheres que perderam suas vidas em serviço.
Agências incluindo o Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Kissimmee Police, St. Cloud Police e Osceola County Corrections participaram da cerimônia.
“Todos os dias, oficiais colocam o distintivo sem saber se voltarão para casa,” disse o chefe da polícia de St. Cloud, Douglas Goerke. “Hoje honramos aqueles que fizeram o sacrifício final.”
A cerimônia terminou com uma salva de 21 tiros e a execução de Echo Taps em homenagem aos heróis caídos. 🖤💙
