HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — The Huntsville Police Department hosted its annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service on Thursday. The event was held during National Police Week and recognized 13 of its officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community.
Chief Kirk Giles and Command Staff honored HPD’s fallen officers along with the Huntsville Police Citizens Foundation, Mayor Tommy Battle, Prim Escalona, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and Huntsville City Council members.
Surviving family member of fallen officer Eric Freeman has one word to describe how this day really makes her feel: "Honored." Leslie Freeman said this ceremony takes place every single year, and it is not just a remembrance in honor of all the officers sacrifice. "It goes to serve the community and the existing officers that go out every single day to say, you know what, this department, this community all of us, we're here for you, and should the unthinkable happen we're going to keep thinking of you, and we're going to keep you in the forefront of our minds and hearts."
It was just a few weeks ago, that police Chief Kurt Giles stood to honor Officer Garrett Crumby at his funeral. "Law enforcement officers take the oath to serve and protect, even at the cost of their lives. Garrett was a young man whose life was tragically ended while answering a domestic call. while that is still fresh in our mind, we will honor Garrett today, as well as the other police officers from Huntsville that died in the line of duty," he said.
A brick honoring Crumby's sacrifice was added to the memorial this past Monday.
Chief Giles said this is one thing to note about fallen officers being honored today. "The officers we are remembering today did not choose this career for recognition. These officers and their families were committed to service. We will now read aloud the names of our Huntsville police, fallen officers."
HPD’s Fallen Officer Memorial was built by the Huntsville Police Citizens Foundation, a nonprofit funded by a diverse group of citizens and businesses in the community. The foundation provides immediate assistance to families of HPD officers during emergencies.
Below is a list of the 13 HPD officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
· Officer William J. Street – End of Watch, Monday, Oct. 8, 1883
· Officer Frank McKissack – End of Watch, Friday, May 26, 1916
· Officer Ewell B. Starr – End of Watch, Saturday, Dec. 5, 1953
· Officer Alan S. Logel, Jr. – End of Watch, Monday, Nov. 19, 1956
· Officer Charles E. Drake, Jr. – End of Watch, Monday, July 23, 1962
· Officer Preston R. Butler – End of Watch, Friday, June 3, 1966
· Officer William T. Gaskin – End of Watch, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1968
· Officer Billy Fred Clardy, Jr. – End of Watch, Wednesday, May 3, 1978
· Officer Daniel Howard Golden – End of Watch, Monday, Aug. 29, 2005
· Officer William Eric Freeman – End of Watch, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
· Officer Keith O’Neal Earle – End of Watch, Monday, April 9, 2018
· Agent Billy Fred Clardy III – End of Watch, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019
· Officer Garrett Coulter Crumby – End of Watch, Tuesday, March 28, 2023