Bulletin Honors
Florida Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Memorial
Dedicated in September 2002, the Florida Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Memorial consists of a granite wall, bronze figures, and a garden area. The memorial honors all heroes of Florida Sheriffs’ Offices killed in the line of duty. The late Buddy Phillips, former sheriff and longtime executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association, established the memorial. Mr. Phillips commissioned a nationally renowned sculptor to create near life-size bronze figures depicting the wife of a fallen deputy and her small child sitting on a bench with a sheriff and fellow deputies standing by. The sculpture complements the curved, black granite wall, which is engraved with the names of officers who gave their lives from 1859 to the present. The memorial escaped unscathed when fire destroyed the nearby Florida Sheriffs Association headquarters building in 2008. It became a focal point for the new building that was completed in 2010. The memorial is combined with majestic oaks and serene landscaping to provide a place of quiet contemplation for visitors and family of the fallen officers. Each year on the first Monday in May, ceremonies are held at the memorial to remember and pay tribute to those who gave their lives.
The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin seeks submissions from agencies that wish to have their memorials featured in the magazine’s Bulletin Honors department. Needed materials include a short description, a photograph, and an endorsement from the agency’s ranking officer. Submissions can be e-mailed to leb@ic.fbi.gov or mailed to Editor, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA 22135.