TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Monday afternoon, in a separate ceremony, sheriffs and deputies from across Florida honored four of their own who lost their lives last year while serving and protecting their communities.
"We see it on the wall, but she'll always be in our memories," said William England, the father of Hardee County Deputy Sheriff Julie Bridges.
Deputy Sheriff Julie Bridges worked for the Hardee County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. She was killed in a car accident on September 10th, 2017 during Hurricane Irma.
She was required to stay in the county despite mandatory evacuations.
Deputy Sheriff Bridges was one of four law enforcement officers who were recognized at a memorial ceremony Monday.
"The echoes of their sacrifices are felt in everything that we do and everything that we represent when that star is placed upon our chest and we raise our hands," said Sheriff Mike Adkinson, the president of the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Deputy Sheriff Bridges comes from a family with many in law enforcement. Her parents say she was determined to serve her community in any way she could.
"Being a law enforcement officer was really a proud moment -- to know that she was accepted in a camaraderie of law enforcement," said England.
"She scared me out of my wits. I didn't want her in danger's way, but this is what she wanted to do, so I went along with it and wished her well," said Sandi England, Sheriff Bridges' mother.
Along with Deputy Sheriff Bridges, the Florida Sheriffs Association recognized Deputy First Class Norman Lewis, Captain Charlie Scavuzzo and Deputy Michael Ryan.
Their names join 369 others on a memorial wall.
"And whether those names were added today or whether they were added 100 years ago, the stir of time does not lessen their service," said Adkinson.
Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz was a part of the ceremony, just two weeks after losing two of his own deputies.
