Sheriff Austin Garrett offers the ceremonial welcome
Pastor Jeffrey Wilson of New United Missionary Baptist Church, and a Sheriff’s Citizens Academy graduate, offers the invocation prayer
Tennessee Highway Patrol Lieutenant Stoney Morton leads the Pledge of Allegiance
Keynote speaker Judge Tom Greenholtz, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy
TV Host & Journalist Mr. Chip Chapman with WDEF News Channel 12
HCSO Sergeant Chris Walker (Honor Guard)
HCSO Patrol Deputy Julian Chambers (Honor Guard)
Chattanooga Police Department Honor Guard
Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Presenting Rose
Sheriff Austin Garrett and Honor Guard Deputies’ Marcus Dotson and Ben Haynes presenting the HCSO’s Wreath
HCSO Sergeant Ed Merritt playing the bagpipes
Sheriff Austin Garrett with members of the HCSO and CPD Honor Guards
Sheriff Austin Garrett and County Mayor Weston Wamp with family members with loved ones honored during
the ceremony
Friday morning Sheriff Austin Garrett and the men and women of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office joined with Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy and the Chattanooga Police Department to co-host the 2024 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the site of the Hamilton County Law Enforcement Memorial. In addition to HCSO and CPD personnel, law enforcement agencies throughout the county and region also participated in the ceremony as they collectively honored those amongst their ranks who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the community’s safety.
This year’s ceremony was held in conjunction with National Police Week. During National Police Week, law enforcement agencies throughout the nation gather in Washington, D.C. at the site of the National Law Enforcement Memorial to recognize the country’s fallen law enforcement heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Numerous family members representing the fallen law enforcement personnel were in attendance at this morning’s ceremony.
The keynote speaker was Judge Tom Greenholtz, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.
The Hamilton County Law Enforcement Monument, located on Market Street next to the Hamilton County Courts Building, bears 74 names of law enforcement personnel who have been killed in the line of duty from not only Hamilton County, but Marion, Bradley, Sequatchie and Grundy counties. There are also several names listed from federal and municipal law enforcement agencies, including the ATF and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
This year, Chattanooga Police Department Sergeant James Michael Russ was added to the Hamilton County Law Enforcement Memorial Wall. Sergeant Russ passed away on Dec. 2, 2023.
“Today’s Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, held in conjunction with National Police Week, allows our profession and our community the opportunity to honor and recognize the men and women in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our safety while standing in the gap between good and evil. Today and every day, we remember our heroes and their families for their sacrifice,” said Sheriff Austin Garrett.
"As this is National Police Week, please join us as we remember the sacrifice of our community’s fallen law enforcement personnel," officials said.