Families come together to remember JPD fallen officers
Jackson Police Department holds annual Memorial Day ceremony
Jackson Police Department holds annual Memorial Day ceremony
Jackson Police Department holds annual Memorial Day ceremony
Each year, the Jackson Police Department holds a memorial service to honor those who lost their lives while on duty.
"So, we can all come together and celebrate their commitment to the citizens of Jackson, and just wrap love around these family members and let them know that their family members will forever be a part of our JPD family," Chief James Davis said.
Since 1893, 17 Jackson police officers have died in the line of duty. During the service held Tuesday at Thalia Mara Hall, fallen officers were remembered through music, remarks from city officials and presentations to family.
Suzanne Simmons Walters attended the event to remember her father, Sgt. Rickey Joe Simmons, who died in 1992. She said the annual memorial service is important to her.
"Especially in this day and age when (police) kind of get a bad rap. This just supports the ones that have fallen in the line of duty and gave their lives trying to protect the lives of those in the city of Jackson," she said. "It's difficult to go through every year sometimes, but it is also important to remember those who have fallen and gave everything for us."
The Jackson Police Department hasn't lost an officer on duty since 2013.