HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) hosted its annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 17. The event was held in honor of National Police Week to recognize 12 of its officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community.
Interim Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles shared an invocation: "Scripture tells us that love is the stronger than death, and there's no greater love than to sacrifice oneself for the sake of others."
Twelve fallen HPD officers were memorialized and recognized for their sacrifice.
HPD Officer Chass Shannon said, "It's very surreal to come to events like this and you meet the fallen officers, and any moment in time, it could be you."
Two officers awarded for their life-saving actions realize the risk of wearing the badge.
Officer Larry Tomlin said, "It's taxing on families. you don't realize that when you're doing the jobs, but behind the scenes your wives and your children, and your spouses and husbands."
And this year, legislation was passed in honor of HPD STAC Agent Billy Clardy the third, and K9 Sheffield Officer Nick Risner.
State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R) (AL-Dist. 21) explained, "During the last week of the legislative session, we passed the 'Sgt. Nick Risner' Act, preventing those who were convicted of murder from receiving good time that can shorten their sentence and allow them to re-enter our community. Just the week before that, we passed the 'Agent Billy Clardy, III' Act, providing wiretapping authority for narcotics enforcement."
“By being here today we ensure that we remember their names and the sacrifices they made for each of us,” Chief Giles said. “We show our appreciation for their heroism and we must remember that public safety, freedom, and prosperity comes with a high price.”
Below is a list of the 12 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