Once again, the heart of America is wounded, this time with the senseless murder of two Florida sheriff’s deputies.
The tragedy illuminates the ongoing dangers faced by all who take the sacred oath to protect and serve our communities.
This contemptuous attack demands that we pause to reverently honor these fine men.
Honoring the Gilchrist County Fallen
On April 19, 2018, two Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Deputies were shot and killed on duty while eating in a Florida restaurant.Sgt. Noel Ramirez, 30, and Deputy Taylor Lindsay, 25, were shot without warning through a window from outside the restaurant.
Ramirez was a seven-year veteran of law enforcement who had a wife and two young children.
Lindsay, a three-year veteran, was not married but left behind a girlfriend.
Sheriff Bobby Schultz referred to the two deputies as “the best of the best.” He also stated that “they’re men of integrity, they’re men of loyalty. They’re God-fearing, and they loved what they did. And we’re very proud of them.”
The sheriff added “the only thing these men were guilty of was wanting to protect you and me. They just wanted to go get something to eat. And they just wanted to do their job.”
According to a Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post, Sgt. Noel Ramirez and Deputy Sheriff Taylor Lindsay were the first line of duty deaths in Gilchrist County since 1956.
Preliminary 2018 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) memorializes law enforcement fatalities. The preliminary fatalities from Jan. 1, 2018–April 23, 2018 reflect a 64 percent increase in firearms-related fatalities compared to the same time-span last year.The public is immediately informed when an officer is killed in the line of duty. This takes place through a Fallen Hero Alerts program, along with posting details on their website.
Besides the tragic loss of Sgt. Ramirez and Deputy Sheriff Lindsay, here are some additional officers who have offered the ultimate sacrifice this year as detailed by the NLEOMF.
Police Officer Tamby Yagan was killed in an automobile crash when his patrol car collided with a parked vehicle. Officer Tamby is the 14th law enforcement officer to be killed in a traffic-related incident this year and the second officer fatality from the state of New Jersey in 2018.
Police Officer Sean Gannon was shot and killed while assisting with serving a warrant. Officer Gannon and his canine partner were searching the home and located the suspect when he was struck by gunfire. Officer Gannon is the 21st officer to be shot and killed this year and the first officer fatality from the state of Massachusetts in 2018.
Officer Phillip Meacham of the Hopkinsville Police Department was shot and killed by a man impersonating a police officer. The man had attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Officer Meacham, who was off-duty, driving his personal car. Officer Meacham is the 20th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed in 2018 and the second from the state of Kentucky.
Special Agent Melissa Morrow succumbed to her illness on March 22, 2018, stemming from her assignment to aid in the search and recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Special Agent Morrow is the second officer fatality from a U.S. Federal Agency in 2018.
Final Reflections
America must eternally honor all who protect and serve our nation.This sacred call to serve American in law enforcement represents the character of the nation.
May each of our fallen be eternally remembered and may we be forever mindful of the immortal verse that “There is no greater love than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
