Slain Peace Officers remembered in Memorial Day ceremony

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –The Macon-Bibb County law enforcement community were joined by residents who gathered at Public Safety Memorial Park to remember officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Sheriff David Davis, Fire Chief Marvin Riggins and Col. Henderson Carswell called the names of members of their agencies, as officers and firefighters laid flowers at their respective Memorial monuments.

The names of 28 slain officers, deputies, and firefighters were called as their fellow comrades laid flowers, in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Macon-Bibb County Peace Officers’ Memorial Day ceremony was held in downtown Macon in Public Safety Memorial Park.

“It’s a solemn occasion but it’s also fulfilling in that we take this time each year to commemorate those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect those of us in this community,” says Davis.

Chief Riggins shared those same sentiments.

“Thank God for Macon,” says Riggins. “Macon and Bibb county, thinking it not robbery, to honor the public safety members, the peace officers, the firefighters, the EMA personnel, that sacrifice it all. We hold the honor, that this community will never forget those who have sacrificed themselves for the life and times of our community.”

Col. Carswell, former Macon Police Chief, says it is important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
but says every morning he is mindful of his officers.
“The first thing I do is cover them with prayer, you then try to make sure they follow our policies,” says Carswell.
“You know, to give them the best chance to always be conscious of what’s going on around them because trouble can come so quick.”

Sheriff Davis, Chief Riggins and Col. Carswell placed a wreath in the center of the park, to honor the slain officers.

Seven Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies, 10 Macon-Bibb County firefighters, and 11 Macon Police Officers were honored during the Peace Officers Memorial Service.