2024 Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors 11 fallen officers in the line of duty

ALBANY, Ga. – Law enforcement officers from across south Georgia convene to honor the lives of their fallen comrades.

The Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office welcomed citizens and officers to join them at Albany Technical College for the 2024 Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. This event honored 11 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

“Well, these ceremonies are so important. We do them every year. Even though we remember the fallen officers every day. But, it’s a special time that we can come together once a year and really show how much they meant to us. And, it’s also so important because it gives us an opportunity to show that to their families, the families of these fallen officers. Every officer that comes to work in this line of work, they unwittingly bring their entire family into the profession with them. There’s so much sacrifice made by the families. And, then, when those officers fall in the line of duty, the pain that family feels is immense. So, this is really an opportunity for us to show them how much we care for them and how much we care and appreciate the sacrifice that their loved ones make,” said Colonel John Ostrander, Chief Jailor, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office.

Family members of the fallen officers were given the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved ones by placing white flowers in the commemorative wreaths, symbolizing their lasting memory.

Colonel John Ostrander, Chief Jailor for the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, highlights the significance of ceremonies such as this, emphasizing how they unite officers from different regions.

“Well, ceremonies like this draw officers together because everybody comes. Now, we had five agencies represented here that have had officers fall in the line of duty. But, I’ve seen probably a dozen different agencies that had officers here. They all come together and it’s a time when we really get to share in that camaraderie, those of us that are in this line of work, it’s a unique profession. It’s a real brotherhood and sisterhood. It’s great to see these folks, some of which we may not have seen since last year when we did this ceremony,” said Colonel Ostrander.

Law enforcement officers reaffirm their commitment to never forget those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“In Dougherty county, we also have a memorial set up in front of the judicial building to honor all of the fallen officers in this community. And, you can go see that, it’s a marble statue set up in front of the judicial building. And, it’s just our way, again, of reminding the community on a daily basis how much sacrifice these men and women have made and how much we honor it,” said Colonel Ostrander.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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