Law enforcement honored
Hosted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbia Police Department, the annual Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony was held on the Courthouse grounds Friday morning.
Guest Speaker Cory Odom, pastor at the Morgantown Church of God, said what was on everyone’s minds.
“It is an honor for me to stand in front of you and speak about something that is on all of our hearts today: To remember the sacrifice that our country’s, our county’s and our community’s heroes made,” he said. “These men that patrol our city and our county are exactly that. They are our heroes today. We say thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice and thank you for the families who also sacrificed.”
Odom continued to honor and remember those in Marion County who made that sacrifice with their life.
Following a prayer by Odom, Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall and Columbia Police Chief Michael Kelly handed flowers to family members of the fallen officers, who were announced by Chief Deputy Jamie Singley: Sheriff J.V. Polk, Officer Leonard Conerly, Deputy Jerry Bryant, Officer Wayne Henebry, Officer Billy D. Patterson, Deputy Edgar Harrell, Officer Danny Sellers and Deputy Vernon L. Long.
The Honor Guard performed the Firing of the Volley before Mark Rogers played “Taps” and Jessie Reeves played “Amazing Grace.” West Columbia Church of God Pastor Lane Turnage offered a closing prayer, and Hall closed the ceremony by honoring K9 Keto, who died earlier this year.
Pictured Above: The Color Guard, comprising of officers from the CPD and MCSO, presented arms and includes, from left, Michael Hudson, John Herrington, Steven Palmer, Andy Turnage, Jacob Powell, Caleb Williams, Andrew Reid and Delandoe Watts. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
