PANAMA CITY — Hundreds of deputies and civilians gathered to honor fallen law enforcement officers, recognize exceptional performances by current deputies and support staff and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
The ceremony Wednesday morning at Tommy Oliver Stadium featured rituals common to law enforcement ceremonies: “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, “Taps” on the bugle, and a 21-gun salute. A bell rang out for seven Bay County law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty as, on the far side of the football field, a member of the Warrior Watch Riders released a single balloon in their memory.
“I have never in my life met a more dedicated, profession, honorable group of people. There’s nothing that we ask them to do that they won’t do,” McKeithen said. “They have given everything except the ultimate price, and I hope we never have to call another name for that.”
Lynn Haven resident and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark McQueen spoke eloquently about the role of law enforcement officers in a community.
“Sadly crime still thrives, evil continues to lurk, and we regret that we see man’s inhumanity to man,” McQueen said. “Yet we do not come to hopelessness and despair. You see, we still have heroes among us.”
There were antique squad cars and biographical displays of Bay County’s 16 sheriffs. The BCSO put dozens of squad cars at midfield, surrounding the air unit. The office’s mobile command center was parked in one end zone, near a boat, a crime scene unit truck, a SWAT truck and a bomb squad truck.
“We are amazed at the arsenal and the technology that stands behind me, which typifies and stands as a testament to the sophistication and complexity of the mission set we have asked our Bay County Sheriff’s Office to do on our behalf,” McQueen said.
Afterward, there were refreshments for the folks who endured an hour-long ceremony under a relentless sun on aluminum bleachers, and anyone who wanted to step on the field and get an up-close look at the technology McQueen mentioned was invited to do so.
Awards
-Jail Ambassador of the Year: Darrell Byrd
-BCSO Ambassador of the Year: Becky Johns
-BCSO Ambassador of the Year: Sally Sparks
-Jail Volunteer of the Year: Virginia Noel
-BCSO Volunteer of the Year: Mike Gordy
-Telecommunicator of the Year: Chris Hall
-Jail Employee of the Year: Dave Hulsman
-BCSO Employee of the Year: Barbara Bell
-BCSO Employee of the Year: Tim Kurpa
-Detention Officer of the Year: Nick Gray
-BCSO Officer of the Year: Lt. Mitch Pitts