Who: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5-30

What: Police Memorial Day Observance – A Tribute to Our Fallen Officers

Where: At the Fallen Officers Memorial Wall in front of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (formerly known as the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena), 300 A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32202. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved inside to the atrium of the arena and the program will be modified.

When: Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 10 a.m.

Why: Citizens and members of the media are invited to join the men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and surviving family members and friends at the JSO’s annual Police Memorial Day service. The ceremony will take place at the Fallen Officers Memorial Wall in front of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The observance honors the 62 men who have died in the line of duty, since 1840, protecting the lives and property of the citizens of this community.

The service includes a message from Sheriff Mike Williams; the presentation of the Police Memorial Day proclamation by Mayor Lenny Curry; a "Twenty-One Gun Salute" by the JSO Honor Guard; “Missing Man" flyover by the JSO Aviation Unit; and music selections by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Pipes and Drums. In addition, this year’s annual service will include the unveiling of Police Officer Lance Whitaker’s name on the Fallen Officers Memorial Wall. Whitaker died in the line of duty on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, while responding to a traffic crash near I-295 and Alta Drive in his marked patrol unit when he was involved in a single-vehicle traffic crash.

The ceremony will be streamed live on JSO's Facebook page starting at approximately 10 a.m. on the day of the event. To connect to the live stream please visit www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleSheriffsOffice.  

Scheduled Road Closures: 

• Duval Street between Palmetto Street and Franklin Street is scheduled to be closed from approximately 8 a.m. until after the ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
• A. Philip Randolph Boulevard from Adams Street to Beaver Street is scheduled to be closed from approximately 8 a.m. until after the ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.