There are few things as heartbreaking to a community as the loss of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty.
Since 1933, nine members of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Kissimmee Police Department and the St. Cloud Police Department have died doing a job to protect and serve the public. Two dozen others, also encompassing the Osceola County Corrections department, have passed in non-line of duty deaths.
Osceola County’s law enforcement community honored their contributions Wednesday morning at a memorial service in the Osceola County Courthouse courtyard.
In 2021, 616 officers lost their lives, up from 412 in 2020. And 438 of them were related to COVID-19, including Osceola Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Webb, who passed away on Aug. 25, 2021. They didn’t have the luxury to work from home as many people did during the quarantine days of the pandemic, said Osceola Corrections Chief Bryan Holt.
In his keynote speech, St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke said the law enforcement community “will never forget, and honor, your loved ones, our heroes.”
Their names are etched in a granite memorial, erected in May 2021 and sits across the street from the Osceola Courthouse, feet from where Goerke spoke about the reminder of the dangers of the profession.
“As I reflect, I think of our fallen officers,” Goerke said. “They are the true heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to their community, who showed immense bravery in the face of fear and chaos, who stood the thin blue line between evil and decent society.
“What does a hero look like? The answer is simple, look around you, at the men and women in uniform. There are no courses to take or prerequisites. Our law enforcement officers are heroes because they say goodbye to their families, possibly for the last time, and go into our communities and make a difference in the lives of so many. They don’t do these things for the notoriety, they risk their lives for total strangers because that is what heroes do.”
Goerke recalled remarks to a graduating class of new recruits.
“I was in awe as I saw the newest members of our profession that’s been in existence since 1838,” he said. “I explained the profession is not a fad, just another job. It’s a lifestyle choice — the noblest of professions. There is no higher calling than serving our community. No other line of work demands a higher level of character and integrity. The fact these recruits understood the dangers and yet still decided to be a law enforcement officer humbled me.”
Goerke, just sworn in as SCPD’s chief earlier this year, explained he, like his leadership counterparts, go out on patrols with officers.
“I’m not out there to check up on them. I’m truly concerned for their safety. My sole purpose is to ensure each officer goes home to their family when their shift is over,” he said.
He noted “Back the Blue” signs displayed in the community and food deliveries to officers, and thanked the families of officers for sharing their members, including those who “died serving a greater purpose.”
On a wreath of white flowers, law enforcement members placed blue flowers during the ceremony to mark the 33 fallen members of the county’s police fraternity.
While uniformed members placed most of the flowers, the daughters of Kissimmee Police Officer Matthew Baxter — Zarah, Sophia and Isabella, led by wife and mother Sadia Baxter, who is also a law enforcement officer — placed his flower. Baxter, along with Sgt. Richard “Sam” Howard, were shot ambush style while on patrol on Aug. 18. 2017.
