This morning, May 22, 2019, a beautiful ceremony took place at the Osceola County Courthouse where Osceola County Law Enforcement Officers came together to remember their brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the sacred oath all officers vow, to protect and serve our community.
Osceola County Commissioners, local dignitaries, fellow Law Enforcement Officers from the Kissimmee Police Department, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, St. Cloud Police Department, and Osceola County Corrections Office, along with the family members gathered to pay their respects and honor the lives of those officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The names of those brave officers are forever inscribed on Osceola County’s first Law Enforcement Memorial Monument.
Sheriff Levin Reuben Farmer (OCSO)
Patrolman Thomas Bartholomew (KPD)
Sergeant Doug Parsons (KPD)
Deputy Troy Babin (OCSO)
Detective Mike Ford (St. Cloud PD)
Lieutenant Roger Haddock (OCSO)
Officer Matthew Baxter (KPD)
Sergeant Richard “Sam” Howard (KPD)
St. Cloud Police Department, Chief Pete Gauntlett, the Keynote Speaker during the ceremony shared his thoughts about the phrase “To Serve and Protect”.
“Unlike another job, our’s begins with an oath, a sacred oath, that has been sworn by men and women of courage and character throughout history. Our foundational mission is to serve and protect citizens we represent and to serve and protect the rights and principles that our badge represents. To the families, we are with you, and we will never, ever forget.”
– Chief Pete Gauntlett, St. Cloud Police Department
These brave men lived their lives fulfilling their duties as Law Enforcement Officers, and have sadly lost their lives in doing so. We thank them for their service and will never forget their sacrifice to protect and serve. We will forever be grateful!
