Ground broken for fallen deputy memorial
Lee Sheriff’s Office-led ceremony held at Lakes Park in Fort Myers
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has seen nine deputies killed in the line of duty. And while it’s been nearly 15 years since the last tragedy, officials believe those deaths should be properly acknowledged — and remembered.
On Thursday, the LCSO broke ground on a memorial to make sure those who died in the line of duty have a fitting remembrance.
Area dignitaries and family members of the fallen gathered at Lakes Park to mark the start of a project that has been nearly two years in the making and made possible through the generosity of the local community.
For Sheriff Carmine Marceno, it was a very important day.
“It’s a very heartfelt day for me and our team. The world is a very different place today, it’s very violent, and those who paid the ultimate price and gave their lives to serve others, today, they will never be forgotten,” Marceno said.
The event included words from Marceno, as well as from County Commissioner Brian Hamman and program coordinator Dennis Fahey.
Marceno told the story of a Hillsborough deputy who served for 31 years and died in a vehicle pursuit on his final day of work before retirement.
“That’s the reality of what we do every single day. We say goodbye for the day and we don’t know if we will come home to see our loved ones,” Marceno said. “We don’t want to forget, but real life kicks in and we start do forget before we get reminded.”
Hamman gave thanks to those who serve as police officers and said the memorial will serve as a strong message of what law enforcement does for the community.
“I think this will be a fantastic way to remember those who gave given their all and paid the price,” Hamman said. “It sends a message for future generations that we care about you and support you and are loved by the community.”
Fahey said the monument will consist of three marble tablets and three bronze sculptures which will represent the deputies and K-9s of the agency, two 50-foot flagpoles and surrounded by granite pavers, with two granite benches.
“Sadly, we know that others will be added to the memorial. This is the price that’s paid for serving the public,” Fahey said.
Marceno did not have a timeline for completion or the total cost, but added a lot of the community wants to get involved.
“It shows we have great residents in this county and we’re really blessed to say that,” Marceno said.
Among those who stepped forward was Carol Rae Culliton of the Gunterberg Charitable Foundation, who kicked things off with a “very substantial donation.”
“It’s the right thing to do. I’m amazed we didn’t have one already in this community. Every other city has something like this and we always have to remember to honor our fallen officers,” Culliton said. “We all go to work knowing we’ll come home. They don’t.”
Lakes Regional Park is located at 7330 Gladiolus Drive, just west of the intersection of U.S. 41, in South Fort Myers.
For additional information about the county facility, please call 239-533-7575, or visit https://www.leegov.com/parks/parks/lakespark.