Members of Chesterfield County Sheriff's Department presented the colors for the Candlelight Memorial Service held at Chesterfield-Ruby Middle School last Monday evening.

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Family, friends and fellow officers view the Memorial Wall.

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Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker salutes the fallen officers.

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Young and old gathered to remember those lost in the line of duty.

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Several rows in the audience were reserved for family members of fallen officers.

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Members of the local law enforcement kneel in respect for and in honor of officers across the state who have died in the line of duty.

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Each year, in May, the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office honors the lives of officers killed in the line of duty. Fortunately, there were no new names to add to the annual list for Chesterfield County this past year.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker, and other law enforcement officers, joined families and friends at Chesterfield-Ruby Middle School this past Monday evening to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Parker assured those gathered for the Candlelight Memorial Service their loved ones would always be remembered with love and respect.

Corporal Daniel Scott, an investigator for Chesterfield County, delivered the memorial message. Music was provided by the Ebenezer Praise Team of Rockingham.

The tradition of honoring the county’s fallen officers began in 1924, offering comfort for family and friends that their loved one is not forgotten. A memorial wall of photographs and more, was on display commemorating all of South Carolina’s fallen officers.

Officer John Crowley was the last member of Chesterfield County’s law enforcement to be killed in the line of duty. He died in 1998.

— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, ext. 224, or by email at kkissiah@heartlandpublications.com.