ATHENS-The annual Law Enforcement Memorial service conducted by the Athens Police Department will be Thursday, May 14, at 5:15 p.m. on The Square. This will be a short ceremony held in honor of National Police Week.
The monument honoring Limestone County’s in-the-line-of-duty deaths is on the west side of the Limestone County Courthouse lawn, but because of the construction at the Courthouse, the event has been moved this year to the east side lawn.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as 
Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.
Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said the community is invited to the event to honor those who currently serve and honor the names of nine officers in Limestone County who died while serving the citizens of Athens and Limestone County. One office was killed during a welfare check on a citizen. Two were shot and killed responding to the same 911 call. Another was killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect.
“Each of these officers gave their lives while serving their community,” Johnson said. “We want their descendants, their loves ones, and this community to know that their sacrifice and their service have not been forgotten.”
END OF WATCH FOR LIMESTONE COUNTY
Athens Police Department
- Bedford F. Brackeen
End of Watch: March 24, 1941
Brackeen was sitting in a patrol car with his partner at the old bus stop at Clinton Street when a man approached their car and started an argument about a prior incident. The man pulled out a revolver and opened fire. Brackeen exited the car and exchanged shots. Brackeen was shot three times but still attempted to chase the suspect before collapsing. The suspect was arrested near Nashville and convicted of first-degree murder.
- Billy Daly
End of Watch: Dec. 22, 1964
Daly was on his police motorcycle when a vehicle struck him at U.S. 31 and Forrest Street. He had been with the department for two years.
- Lt. Benton McLemore
End of Watch: March 7, 1969
A suspect shot and killed McLemore after the officer responded to the suspect’s house to check on his welfare. The suspect was known to be mentally ill and shot McLemore with a shotgun after the officer knocked on the door. The suspect killed himself before capture.
- Dewey Wayne Dorsey Sr.
End of Watch: Feb. 11, 1989
Dorsey died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident while transporting blood to Athens-Limestone Hospital. The hospital treated and released Dorsey, but a blood clot developed and killed him.
- Sgt. Larry Wayne Russell and officer Tony Mims
End of Watch: Friday, Jan. 2, 2004
The men responded to a 911 call made by a man with a history of mental illness. The man opened fire as each officer pulled into the driveway, killing Mims first and Russell second. The bullets pierced their vehicles and bullet proof vests. The suspect died in prison.
Limestone County Sheriff’s Department
- Chief Deputy James Henry Eubank
End of Watch: Thursday, June 13, 1918
A suspect shot and killed Eubank while he searched a house for a weapon.
Troopers
- David E. Temple
End of Watch: Sept. 13, 1979
A man shot and killed Temple after the officer pulled up to him in Limestone County in an attempt to arrest him for a car lot robbery in Decatur. The man leaned out of his car and opened fire on Temple. The man then got out of the car and walked to where Temple lay on the ground and shot him several more times. The suspect fled the scene and led police on a chase through Madison. Police shot and killed him after he wounded another officer.
