Some get lost 'in memory'
By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
Tomorrow is Memorial Day; a day set aside to honor and remember soldiers killed in service to our country. But, what many don't realize is that May is Law Enforcement Memorial Month, which is to honor and remember the many police officers that lost their lives in the line of duty.
Law Enforcement officials walk the line between life and death everyday, meaning that at any minute they could die as result of an accident or an intentional act of violence.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Home Page, 448 officers have died in the line of duty in Alabama alone, two of which were in Franklin County.
Benjamin Marshall Holder, Phil Campbell's Police Chief, died on June 26, 1984 as a result of injuries received during an assault on duty. He was 56 years old.
D.E. Tidwell, a Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy, died on July 23, 1929 after being shot while on duty. He was 39 years old.
These are just two of the hundreds of names on the Memorial Page from a across the state. Some are quite old, but others are recent, like Florence Police Officer David Young, who was killed in an accident while on patrol earlier this month. Professionals in law enforcement have a difficult and dangerous job. Their job is to serve and protect the community in which they live, and staying safe can be difficult at times.
Officers need training to ensure that they can come home to their families every night. In most cases, training is what enables officers to overcome situations safely and effectively. Training is the most important tool we can give our officers to make sure they are safe.
We can all rest assured that Franklin County's law enforcement officials are well trained. Sheriff Plott, Chief Hargett, Chief Creel Chief Potter, and District Attorney Joey Rushing all make sure that their officers and investigators have the training they need to go home safely.
So, today, when you are making your plans to honor and remember the soldiers who died for our freedoms, don't forget the ones that make it safe here at home.
