Sheriff Austin Garrett and the men and women of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office joined with Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers and the Chattanooga Police Department, to co-host the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the site of the Hamilton County Law Enforcement Memorial on Friday. In addition to HCSO and CPD personnel, law enforcement agencies throughout our county and region also participated in the ceremony as we collectively honored those amongst our ranks who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our community’s safety.
This year’s ceremony was held in conjunction with National Police Week which occurred Sunday, May 11 – Saturday, May 17.
During National Police Week, law enforcement agencies throughout our Nation gather in Washington, D.C. at the site of the National Law Enforcement Memorial to recognize our country’s fallen law enforcement heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Numerous family members representing our fallen law enforcement personnel were in attendance at this morning’s ceremony.
The keynote speaker was Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Richard Clark of the FBI’s Chattanooga Office.
The Hamilton County Law Enforcement Monument, located on Market Street next to the Hamilton County Courts Building, bears 75 names of law enforcement personnel who have been killed in the line of duty from not only Hamilton County, but Marion, Bradley, Sequatchie, Rhea, and Grundy counties. There are also several names listed from federal and municipal law enforcement agencies including the ATF and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
“Today’s Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, held in conjunction with National Police Week, allows our profession and our county 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 Garrett.