ORANGE PARK – The annual Police Memorial Ceremony ensured if there is law enforcement, the memories and legacies of the men who died in the service of protecting Clay County will never be forgotten.

The formality Thursday, May 8, at Moosehaven honored 12 who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those include Sheriff Josephus Peeler, who was shot May 10, 1894, while trying to stop an argument between two men at a train stop, to Green Cove Springs Police Chief Derek Asdot, who succumbed on Sept. 28, 2021, due to COVID-19.

“We gather on this solemn occasion, Police Memorial Day, not only to honor our fallen heroes, but to ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten,” said Clay County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Ron Lendvay. “Remember those deputies and officers who put on the badge stepped forward into the unknown and did not come home at the end of their tour of duty. These men were husbands, grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers, friends and colleagues. They were ordinary people, performing extraordinary acts in service to others.

“Behind every name etched on law enforcement memorial walls, there is a story, a story of bravery, of commitment and of selflessness. These officers chose to uphold the law, protect the vulnerable, and stand as a shield between chaos and order.”

Members from CCSO, Orange Park and Green Cove Springs police departments, Clay County and Jacksonville fire rescue departments, St. Johns, Putnam and Jacksonville sheriff’s offices, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service attended.

Dignitaries included Florida Reps. Sam Garrison and Judson Sapp, Clay County Manager Howard Wanamaker, County Commissioners Betsy Condon, Jim Reninger, John Sgromolo, Alexandra Compere and Kristen Burke, Clerk of Courts Tara Green, Sheriff Michelle Cook, GCS Police Chief Shawn Hines, OPPD Police Chief Randy Case and Clay County Judges Ray Forbess, James Kallaher and Steven Whittington.

Families of the fallen law enforcement officers were invited to lay a rose at their pictures in front of the gazebo stage. The other fallen included Sheriff Charles Wilson, Sheriff Theodore Cherry, Sgt. Richard Watkins, Aux. Dep. Arthur Caton, Dept. Wilson Walker, Sgt. Kenneth “Eddie” Hayes, Det. David White, Dept. Ben Zirbel, Sgt. Eric Twisdale and Dep. Clint Seagle.

The program closed with the traditional 21-gun salute and playing “Taps.”

“We need noise today to remind us of their sacrifice,” Sapp said.