INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Members of law enforcement agencies across Indian River County gathered Monday evening to remember and celebrate the lives of their comrades who lost their lives last year in the line of duty.
A crowd of approximately 50 civilians and many more service men and women listened quietly as Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry read aloud the names of four Law Enforcement officials and two K-9s who lost their lives in Florida in 2013 while serving to protect their communities.
Officials placed wreaths honoring the fallen officers near the Law Enforcement Memorial Monument in front of the Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach.
Approximately two dozen teenagers on track to join law enforcement in the future stood watching the ceremony attentively and in uniform as part of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Explorers program.
“Protecting the people around us is a risk we’re willing to take,” said Kevin Smith, one of the young law enforcement hopefuls.
Right now, Smith is still in high school and is not yet faced with the day-to-day reality of risking his life in the field. But Smith said he has always known that he wanted to take the law enforcement route.
“When I was small, I saw a robbery, and then there was a chase down,” said Wilberth Martinez, another student of the Explorers program.
“Ever since then, I knew I wanted to do this,” Martinez said.
For other young police novices like Hunter Evans, the desire to enter this dangerous line of work was born out of the inspiration of a family member or friend.
Evans’ older brother, Deputy Zach Evans, works for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’ve always looked at him as an example, and he has always inspired me,” Hunter Evans said.
During the ceremony, the Honorable Judge Robert Pegg delivered a message of gratitude to those who serve with the local law enforcement agencies.
Judge Pegg recognized that, in criminal court, law enforcement officials are often criticized and under-appreciated.
He said attorneys often hold “every action and reaction under a microscope.” He added, “time after time the officer did just the right thing.”
He went on to recount instances when he was allowed to ride along with police officers, getting a first-hand view of what it is like to be in their shoes on a typical crime-fighting day.
Though the judge recounted many cases he oversaw in court of dangerous and serious crimes in which officers were put in harm’s way, he recounted more instances of officers taking a humble position to assist someone in need during his ride-alongs.
Officers spending hours in the hot sun repairing broken down vehicles, resuscitating victims, and calming loud and drunken disputes were among the memories of his encounters with on-duty officers.
Those humble acts, Judge Pegg summarized, is “not enforcing the law, but most certainly is law enforcement.”
The four Florida officers who lost their lives while enforcing the law in 2013 were Sergeant Gary Morales, of St. Lucie County; Master Deputy Sheriff Joseph “Shane” Robbins, of Polk County; Sergeant Michael L. Wilson, of Charlotte County; Deputy Sheriff Daniel Rivera, of Broward County; K-9 Koda, of Leon County; and K-9 Gus, of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
The week of May 15 is recognized nationwide as “Police Week,” and serves to honor those who risk their lives day in and day out for the betterment of their community.
Just before ending the wreath placing ceremony, Sheriff Deryl Loar motioned to the young team of Explorers, all between the ages of 14 and 18, who already know their calling is to serve in law enforcement.
“They are the future of law enforcement in Indian River County,” Loar said.
“This is not a job for the faint of heart,” said County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan after reading the Proclamation declaring the week “Police Week.”
As for Smith, Martinez, and Evans, they hope to boldly and bravely continue down a path that will have them serving humbly and risking their lives for the sake of keeping others safe, just as the men and women honored at the ceremony were called to do.