Every year around this time the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office gathers its ranks and members of the community to commemorate the deputies and law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. On Monday, it did so in the shadow of a catacomb–the former Sheriff’s Operations Center, evacuated last June, in effect all but condemned last month, its future fate unknown: memories aside, it can’t even be used as a repository because of health concerns.
The doors to the operations center were kept locked Monday evening, and at times, as the crowd held its bluish candles aloft, it looked as if the building too was being memorialized. The brief prayers and a speech refocused attention away from the setting’s ironies and onto Flagler’s five fallen officers through the years, along with Florida’s and the nation’s.
There were 163 such deaths last year across the nation (11 in Florida), 52 of them by gunfire, 26 by car crash, 27 related to 9/11 illnesses, and 18 by heart attack, considered line of duty deaths due to the stresses of the job.
Brooks’s is one of the five Flagler County officers commemorated every year, along with Sheriff Perry Hall (1927), deputy George Durrance (1927), deputy Chuck Sease (2003) and deputy Frankie Celico (2011).
“Always remember the ultimate price they paid,” sheriff’s chaplain Ed Reistetter said in Monday evening’s dying light. “May their memories stand forever as those who died brave and lived life well, so be with us tonight as we memorialize those who have lost their lives serving Flagler County.”
“We’re all blessed to live in the sunshine State. Men and women throughout Florida put on a uniform every day to keep our piece of paradise a safe place to live, visit, and work. The tragic loss of 11 Florida officers in 2018 serves as a reminder of the price that is paid by some to keep the peace for many. These officers lived and died for something greater than themselves, however, as it is often said, it is not how they died that made them heroes.” Those last words are chiseled on the fallen officer memorial positioned in front of the operations center.
The sheriff and members of each fallen’s family–those who were here–then posed roses at the foot of the memorial as the five names and their “end of watch” dates were spoken, among them Brooks. Brooks served in the United States Navy during World War II before beginning his career in law enforcement as a deputy in Flagler. He served as Bunnell’s police chief before his election as sheriff in 1957, and two re-elections. He died shortly after that second re-election.
The irony of holding the ceremony outside the former operations center was not left entirely unspoken, the center itself almost qualifying, if not quite as a victim, at least as something fallen in the line of duty since it was evacuated last June. The building has a mold problem, its extent not yet determined though that diagnosis was rendered moot last month when the county commission elected to build a new operations center in Palm Coast, leaving the sheriff nomadic for two more years.
“Normally we’d invite you inside to see the museum and have refreshments,” Staly told the crowd, “but as you know, we’re temporarily homeless.”
Unusually and with the exception of Bunnell Police Chief Tom Foster, not a single Bunnell elected official attended the ceremony, even though elected or city officials from the county, from Palm Coast and from Flagler Beach did: Bunnell’s commissioners have been at odds with the sheriff and the county over the county’s plan to move the sheriff’s principal operations to Palm Coast. Vice Mayor Hohn Rogers said the absence was not intentional: the Bunnell Commission was still meeting at the time, and he and Mayor Catherine Robinson went to the old operations center grounds as soon as they were able.
Dave says
992, that’s how many people were shot and killed by police last year.
PTC Trader says
Did they fall in the line of duty? or while committing a crime. Your comment has no relevance to this event that memorializes those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Fredrick says
Respect to those who have fallen and to those who serve and protect.
AMAZED says
I think it absolutely disgusting that the Bunnell Commissioners would boycott this ceremony because of the issues with the Sheriff. This was to honor fallen officers who gave their lives protecting the communities. Bunnell commissioners…… you all are a sad bunch!!!!
Gramps says
I had 3 heart attacks in the last 3 years. Will I get memorial ? They where caused by STRESS of working my ass off at an old age so I don’t turn to a life of crime to make ends meet .
Rich & Wanda Harnage says
How many police were shot and killed last year protecting us???? Did you research that?
Outside Looking Out says
As usual Flagler county rodeo clown tries to upstage a prestigious and solemn ceremony by dressing up like Wyatt Earp and have his horse present. He truly looked ridiculous in a cowboy hat while other officers were in proper dress uniform. It’s a shame he has no more honor than that. He is a mockery of the office he holds.
I was unable to discern if this article was to honor fallen LEO’s or a perfectly salvageable building that would be much cheaper than what Wyatt wants.
robb says
really…. “Staly said the best way to honor the fallen is with actions rather than words” this man, mister egotistical himself said that…. wow… may those that have fallen rest in peace… but do not let this egotistical maniac talk about honoring anyone… he screamed at ranks that honor a retiree recently…. and he wants to honor people… knock it off its only good if it helps him… i thought Manfre was bad…… they’re the same.
Jim says
Hey Dave That 992 number- please take off the people who were committing a crime. Please take off the number who were running away from the police.. Please take off the people who were not following Police commands. Then give me the new #
Dave says
Sorry Jim ,none of those reasons are justified reasons to shoot and kill someone. Simply committing a crime does not justify being shot and killed. Running from police does not justify being shot and killed. Not following police commands does not justify being shot and killed. FEAR is the main reason people are killed by police. The victims fear police with good reason, they do not trust the police after many years of police harrassment. Police fear the people , so many police are so frightened by the people they are payed to protect that they over react and shoot before they think. Who remembers Police Stand offs? That used to be a thing in my day. The police would spend hours and days in a standoff with a gunman just to make sure there is no loss of life. Now they will just send in a robot with a bomb and blow up the troubled gunman.
Really?!? says
@ Jim:
Really?!? So basically, those who run from police or fail to follow commands deserve to be shot and killed? Funny how when it is someone they want intel from the criminal is only wounded, not killed. People like you are a big big problem! Shame on your comment implying those people deserved to be killed.
Jan J Reeger says
To “Amazed”. Please fact check. Bunnell Commissioners did not boycott this Memorial. We are “sad” that we could not attend. Our regularly scheduled meeting was at that time. I hope next year, it will be held when we can attend.