Nassau County honors fallen deputies with memorial ceremony

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office held its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Wednesday.

The ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office Memorial Plaza in Yulee honored the local heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice and gave their lives to protect and serve the citizens of Nassau County.

Among those honored was Nassau County deputy Joshua Moyers. He was the deputy shot and killed by Patrick McDowell, who was sentenced to be executed.

Sheriff Bill Leeper addressed the families and the rest of the community just before the fallen officers’ names were read aloud.

“Those who gave their life are heroes, not only because of how they died but because how they lived,” Leeper said.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 130 law enforcement officers in the United States died in the line of duty last year. This year, there have been 59 officer deaths.