The Columbia Police Department will host the annual Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial 9 a.m. May 16 at on the courthouse grounds.
The ceremony honoring fallen officers previously was hosted by both the police department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, but the departments have decided to alternate as hosts moving forward. Columbia Police Community Engagement Coordinator Jeni Southerland said it’s an event the department looks forward to every year to remember its fallen brothers in blue.
“It’s a time to come together to honor not only our local officers but also those at the national level. It lets them know we haven’t forgotten the police officers and sheriff’s deputies and the sacrifice they made,” she said.
It has historically been held the week prior to Memorial Day, but this year the memorial has been changed to occur during National Police Week, which is from May 12 until May 18, to specifically honor law enforcement officers.
Southerland said that in past years every family that could physically make it to the ceremony does attend, which is an indicator of their appreciation.
“Some of them may be older and not in good health, but they always make an effort to attend. That just shows you how important it is to them. They travel to Columbia during one of the hottest times of the year just so they can be recognized and remember their family members they’ve lost,” she said.
There have been eight slain officers in Marion County since 1960, four each from Columbia Police and the sheriff’s office.
“In a small town and county like ours, that’s a big sacrifice,” Southerland said. “Over the years that’s a big impact on our small community to have lost that many officers.”
The keynote speaker will be Mississippi Highway Patrol Lt. Col. and Director of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy Thomas Tuggle. New Life Fellowship Church Pastor Terry Weems will do the opening prayer, the Columbia High School choir will sing the national anthem and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the Beall family will play bagpipes and Amanda Woods will play “Taps.” A prayer breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. for the families of the fallen officers, and in the event of inclement weather the ceremony would be hosted at the Magnolia Grille.
Pictured Above: An officer carries a wreath during the 2018 Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial outside the Marion County Courthouse. This year’s event is coming up May 16 hosted by the Columbia Police Department.
