ATHENS-The melody Taps will echo hauntingly through downtown Athens on Thursday as law enforcement and the community pause to remember the names of nine men who sacrificed their lives serving our community.
The Athens Police Department will host its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Thursday, May 19, at 5 p.m. on the Limestone County Courthouse lawn. Chief Floyd Johnson said the ceremony will include the reading of the nine in-the-line-of-duty deaths, presentation of colors by the Honor Guard, Taps and a closing prayer.
These nine officers were answering calls like any other day when any other day became their end of watch. Some of these officers died pursuing suspects. Some died in vehicle accidents, including one officer who was transporting blood to Athens-Limestone Hospital. Some died responding to a call for help.
“This is a way to honor these men and to show their descendants this community’s appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” Johnson said.
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.
Mayor Ronnie Marks asks the public to attend the ceremony to support all officers.
“We need to not only honor these nine men but to thank all of those in law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect our community,” Marks said.
Here is the End of Watch List 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.
- Simmie L. Jeffries
End of Watch: Friday, Dec. 21, 1984
Jeffries died from an accident when his patrol car collided with a tractor trailer in Limestone County.
