Local resident honors fallen officers, knights hero

Dennis Wise, the national president of the American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens and a resident of Santa Rosa Beach, attended the annual “Police Officers Memorial Service” in Titusville, Fla., during Police Memorial Week.

The guest speaker for this ceremony was Gov. Rick Scott, who gave the welcoming speech. The governor stated that he was enthused by all the wonderful programs that the organization provides for all the family survivors of officers killed in the line of duty. He also enjoyed visiting the Police Hall of Fame.

At this year’s memorial there were 427 family survivors along with about 300 law enforcement officers from across the nation. Others in attendance included local politicians and residents.

The American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens reaches out to these families by special programs and services, including emergency financial assistance, grief counseling grants and educational scholarships, along with many other programs.

This free event honors all U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the past year. All attendees receive free admission into the Hall of Fame prior to and after the service. Anyone wishing to attend next year’s service or make a donation, please call 321-264 0911, and you can visit our website at www.aphf.org.

While at the Officer of the Year Banquet April 13, as Knight Commander in the Order of Michael the Archangel, President Wise knighted several law enforcement officers, among whom was a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer, Justin Morgan, who had been temporarily assigned to the Destin area after the Deepwater Horizon spill. He saved the life of two residents who were being dragged by the current into the Gulf from East Pass.

Officer Morgan stated, "I was just in the right place at the right time to help."