On May 14, 2021 dozens of people gathered in Public Safety Memorial Park to honor 32 fallen officers during the annual Peace Officers Memorial Day.

The event happens on the Friday of National Police Week, and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office,  Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, and former Macon Police Department joins together to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

During the memorial, the name of each fallen officer is read aloud as the Honor Guard places a white rose at the base of the of the monument. This year, a new name was added to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Kenterrous D. Taylor, who lost his life in March of 2020.

“We can’t thank the families enough for sacrificing their loved ones to serve us in our community and protect all of us,” said Law Enforcement Foundation Chair Warren Selby. “We always want to say thank you, and we must never forget.”

After the placing of the roses, Mayor Lester Miller, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis, Colonel Henderson Carswell, and Interim Chief Shane Edwards placed a wreath at the monument. Before the ceremony was over, a Georgia State Patrol aviation unit flew over the park.

“There is no amount of thanks, no number of ceremonies, no words that can fully do justice to the sacrifice made by the men and women who protect our community. It’s something that is ongoing and continuous, something we must do every day,” said Mayor Miller. “This annual ceremony is but one way…a very important way…to make sure our community remembers and thanks these heroes.”

Next year, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will add another name to the wall: Deputy Christopher Knight, who died in the line of duty this year.