Fallen officers honored during Law Enforcement Memorial Service

Central Baldwin Chamber hosts Honoring Our Heroes event following memorial service

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack Jr. and law enforcement officials from Mobile and Baldwin counties hosted a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony Tuesday, May 14, honoring those who have been killed in the line of duty.

A memorial at the BCSO Central Investigations Command Center was dedicated by Sheriff Jimmy Johnson and Chief Deputy Larry Milstid in 2001 honoring seven officers who had been killed in the line of from Baldwin County since 1895. Since then, three names have been added to the memorial, BCSO Deputy Scott Ward in 2012, Orange Beach Police Officer Michael D. Stockwell in 2013 and Loxley Police Officer Charles Kerry Mitchum in 2015.

“Today is a special day here in Baldwin County,” Mack said. “It is a day we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the protection of our citizens.”

Following an invocation by BCSO chaplain Joe Aldrete, Mack read the names of the 10 officers who have died in the line of duty. Chief Deputy Col. Anthony Lowery then introduced special guests at the ceremony, including District Attorney Robert Wilters, Probate Judge Harry D’Olive, Circuit Court judges Scott Taylor and Michelle Thomason, and police chiefs from Robertsdale, Summerdale, Daphne, Elberta, Foley, Loxley and Orange Beach.

Foley Police Chief David Wilson honored the fallen officers as guest speaker for the event, followed by the placing of the wreath at the Sheriff’s Memorial by Mack and the Baldwin County police chiefs in attendance.

“It is my honor to recognize our fallen officers and to show my appreciation for all of those who put their lives on the line,” Wilson said. “I have privileged to be able to show my appreciation to my officers every day and night. It may not seem like I appreciate it when I get a phone call at 2 a.m., but I really do.”

There are two professions, Wilson said, where man and women run toward danger in order to protect others.

“Members of the military run into danger to project our interests overseas,” he said, “and law enforcement officers run into danger to project our interests here at home. This is a time that we set aside to show our appreciation to both professions and the best way to do that is that when you see someone in uniform, just say ‘thank you.’ I guarantee you they will appreciate it.”

May is set aside to honor fallen peace officers and Wednesday, May 15 was designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. While Mobile Police Officer Justin Billa’s name was recently added to the National Fallen Heroes Memorial in Washington, D.C., Mack also invited those in attendance to join in Mobile County’s Fallen Officers Memorial ceremony on Thursday, which was set to honor fallen officer Sean Tuder.

The ceremony was followed by the Sixth Annual “Honoring Our Heroes” lunch for fallen officers and first responders presented by the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at the PZK Hall in Robertsdale.

Presenting sponsor was Baldwin EMC; Diamond Sponsor, L.A. Barbecue, who provided the meal; Gold Sponsors Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Riviera Utilities, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center and Advantage Business Solutions; Silverhill Sponsors Citizens’ Bank, Lee Drug Store and the Town of Silverhill.