2026 Law Enforcement Memorial Tallahassee, Fl.

Posted bydaveferrellPosted inUncategorized

The annual Fraternal Order of Police Law Enforcement Memorial was held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida on Monday April 27, 2026. What follows are several images from this event. Eleven Law Enforcement Officers lost their lives in the line of duty in Florida during 2025.

The riderless horse…

The Tallahassee Fire Department hung this large American Flag in front of the Civic Center.
The Bagpipes led the procession at the start of the event.
Members of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office watch the procession.
This young man makes friends.
The Survivors are led into the Civic Center,
Tallahassee Police Department Chief Lawrence Revell and Assistant Chief Mike Suleski.
Families approach a floral map of the State of Florida to pin a flower on the map in memory of their loved one. This is the family of Walton County Deputy William May who was shot and killed escorting a subject out of a Dollar General Store.
This young lady and her mother approach the floral map at the front of the arena.
As her mother pins the flower on the map, her daughter puts her hand on her mother’s wrist for support. While shooting photos thru a telephoto lens you see things that most people don’t. This sight brought tears to my eyes as I realized that the flower was for the husband/father of these two who are now left behind.
The family of Trooper Craig Gaines approach the map. Trooper Gaines was providing sideline security during a FAMU football game when he got caught up in a play and injured. Several days later he died as a result of those injuries.
Another family approaches the map…..flower in hand.
The family of Indian River Sheriff’s Office Sgt, Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow approach the map. The man wearing the blue cap is her husband. Ironically I met him on Saturday afternoon as he and his son walked thru downtown Tallahassee. Sgt Sweeting-Mashkow was shot and killed serving an eviction.

I have photographed these Law Enforcement Memorials for many years now and it hasn’t gotten any easier. The cruel and senseless tragedies that result in these memorials go on and on and it only seems to be getting worse. Florida lost 11 heroes last year. From Tallahassee these survivors will go on to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC for a ceremony to be held later in May. May their loved ones and our Heroes never be forgotten.

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