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Ladies and gentlemen William Fallon Deputy Director of the Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers FLETC. Thank you for being with us today from across the nation and those
of you that are joining us worldwide. Please stand for the posting of the colors by the
Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Academy honor guard led by supervisory officer
Melissa Peralta, the singing of our national anthem by Logistics Specialist Derek Henley
with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives National Academy and the invocation
by Program Analyst Jack Williams Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Standby
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All uniformed personal attention!
All uniformed personal present arms!
Oh say can you see
by the dawn's early light
what so proudly we hailed
at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd
were so gallantly streaming.
And the rocket's red glare,
the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there,
Oh say does that star-spangled banner
banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
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Let us pray. Oh great and almighty Lord, protector and comforter. We humbly come before you oh God
to embrace your supernatural peace your grace and your unending love. As the Psalmist declared, "Though
we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death we need not to fear because we fully know
without reservation and by faith that you almighty God are indeed with us. You oh God are our strength
our comforter our shelter and our rock. You are here even now not only with us but in us. Oh God
as we honor our fallen law enforcement officers protectors and guardians of our great nation
who faithfully and selflessly served with honor commitment and great courage.
We are forever indebted for the sacrifice and service of each officer and family member
allowing each of us today to live abundantly in freedom full of hope without fear. Almighty God may
your righteous right hand go before our nation in divine protection. May your spirit provide comfort
and may your deep love and compassion embrace each family member, friend and fellow officer.
To you almighty God we give honor and glory. In your most holy and precious name we pray. Amen
Thank you Derek for the beautiful rendition of our national anthem thank you CBP Honor Guard
for the posting of the colors and thank you Jack for the invocation. Good afternoon. On behalf of
Director Walters the men and women of FLETC and our participating organizations I would like
to welcome you to the 2021 FLETC Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony. Thank you for being with us today.
The FLETC memorial wall recognizes those agents deputies and officers that have fallen in
the line of duty and have attended one of FLETC's basic training programs. Today's ceremony honors 26
FLETC graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice in law enforcement service in 2019 and 2020.
During the ceremony FLETC will also recognize and honor those graduates who died in the line of duty
since FLETC's creation in 1970. In 2019 four names were added to the memorial for a total of 241. 22
more names were added in 2020 for a total of 263. We have two agencies that lost officers and agents
in previous years and their names were inscribed on the FLETC graduates memorial back in 2019
and they were the Transportation Security Administration and U.S Customs and Border
Protection. In 2020 six agencies lost officers deputies and agents and they were: The Bureau
of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, The Federal Protective Service, The Transportation
Security Administration Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S Customs and Border Protection,
U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in the United States
Marshall Service As we reflect today I encourage you to remember our law enforcement fallen who
gave everything to protect us, protect our country and protect our freedom. And to also support the
survivor family members across our nation who we promised to never forget. Today we honor our fallen
but I would also like to recognize all of our FLETC and partner organization staff
who dedicate their lives to developing our future law enforcement. Thank you for all you do. At this
time I would like to introduce FLETC's Director Thomas J. Walters to the podium for opening remarks
and the introduction of our keynote speaker. Director Walters. Thank you Deputy. Hello everybody
We're here today united in common cause to reflect on those too many law enforcement
officers whose commitment to serve and to protect others was in every sense of the word, absolute.
Service to this nation these officers lost everything they were. Everything they might have
become. All hopes all dreams all ambitions. Every comfort that life has to offer, all of their future.
In short their loss was absolute. We here at the Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers are proud to stand with the law enforcement organizations represented here today.
And with the family and the friends and colleagues of those officers whose lives were cut short.
English statesman Edmund Burke said a wise thing about good and evil and about the nature of men.
He said "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
The officers enshrined here
made a choice to join the ranks of those good people that will do something.
They chose to stand between our citizenry and those who would do them harm.
They chose to protect. They chose to serve.
They chose to give. And for the officers we honor today their gift to us was absolute.
To the family and friends and colleagues of those we honor today
we recognize and appreciate that the loss you experienced
was intensely personal, but you should also know that everyone who has ever
worn the law enforcement badge or supported the training appreciates and will always appreciate
the great gift that our brothers and sister officers, your loved ones have given to all of us.
I'm honored today to introduce Troy Miller the Acting Commissioner of U.S Customs and Border
Protection, many of whose officers are enshrined here on our memorial stones. Commissioner Miller
joined U.S Customs in 1993 and he's been part of CBP from its very beginnings in 2003.
Commissioner Miller has a personal connection with many of those whose names are engraved here.
Commissioner Miller oversees the single largest federal law enforcement agency in the federal
government because it includes the United States Border Patrol, CBP Field Operations and CBP Air and
Marine. Now Commissioner Miller wanted to represent his agency and his people at this ceremony
and although he could not physically be present here today you will participate virtually.
And I thank him for it.
Good afternoon to the families and loved ones of our fallen heroes, distinguished guests, law
enforcement officers and agents and the staff of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers.
I am grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to our law enforcement heroes who gave their lives
in service to our country. And to join with you in honoring those men and women whose names are now
permanently inscribed on the FLETC Graduates Memorial in remembrance of their selflessness,
their courage and their enduring sacrifice. Although National Police Week is happening later
in the year than normal it is important for all of us to come together and remember those we lost.
Since 1786 nearly 23 thousand law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ensures that those who gave their lives
to protect and serve their communities are remembered for generations to come.
National Police Week recognizes the service and unwavering bravery of everyone at the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Centers. Each day you put on your uniform and show up for our country despite
never knowing exactly what dangers and threats you may face. This year the COVID 19 pandemic
introduced even more uncertainty danger and risk and yet you continue to place the safety
and security of others above your own you serve and protect our great nation with courage and
integrity. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers serve as training organizations for more
than 103 federal agencies and provides training to state, local, tribal, campus and international
law enforcement. Today we honor the memory of the graduates who have died protecting our country
and its people. The names of the 26 fallen officers and agents who passed in 2019 and 2020
are forever engraved on the granite panels of the FLETC graduates memorial. Today's Peace Officers
Memorial Day Ceremony recognizes that public safety often comes at an enormous price, whether at
the federal state or local level law enforcement professionals defend our nation against violence
threats crime and terrorism. Today we remember 26 courageous colleagues who made their sacrifice
as they bravely executed the law enforcement duties of the organizations they proudly served.
These brave heroes proudly served U.S Customs and Border Protection, The Bureau of Alcohol
Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Federal Protective Service, Transportation Security Administration,
U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Marshals Service.
We honor their service and sacrifice and while they are no longer seated amongst us they are
alive in both memory and spirit. Their selfless actions will continue to guide and inspire us.
No words can ease the grief and sorrow. My hope today is that the families
loved ones and colleagues of these officers and agents will gain comfort and strength knowing
that we as a nation and as individuals will be eternally in their debt. On the Graduates Memorial
the names of the 26 of our fallen comrades are now permanently engraved on this hallowed site.
The wall now stands at 263 names. We will never be able to completely remove the dangers that our
law enforcement officers face each day but we can honor their service and sacrifice by continuing to
protect and serve our nation. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to address everyone today
and I am forever humbled by the enduring sacrifice of these 26 men and women and their families.
Let me close by thanking Director Thomas J. Walters, Deputy Director William Fallon and the
entire staff of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers for bringing us together
on this special day to honor our fallen colleagues. Thank you.
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Thank you Acting Commissioner Miller. Now it's my honor to introduce the partner organization
representatives who will read the names of the fallen. Each one of these agencies has lost members
of their law enforcement families over the last two years. Deputy Chief Joseph Price Bureau of
Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, National Academy, Director Ivan Pabon, Federal Protective
Service, National Training Academy, Federal Air Marshal and Section Chief Billy Williams,
Transportation Security Administration Training Center, Executive Director Christopher Holtzer
U.S Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Academy, Program Manager Maria
Theresa Gonzalez U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations
Academy, Deputy Assistant Director Matthew Hershey United States Marshal Service Training Division.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Eddie Benitez, John W. Bost, III, John F. Capano
Conway C. LeBleu, Johnny A. Masengale, Todd W. McKeehan
Kimberly D. Place, Scott Ragsdale, Ariel Rios, William C. Sheldon, Jr.
David E. Sullivan, Robert J. Williams, Steven D. Willis
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Michael G. Miller, Defford Oyebi, Creighton T. Spencer
Bureau of Prisons, Osvaldo O. Albarati, Daniel J. Bryer, Robert F. Miller, Jose V. Rivera
Gary L. Rowe, D’Antonio H. Washington, Alfredo D. Williams, Eric J. Williams, Scott J. Williams
Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, Nelson R. Harmon
Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, Paul Broxterman
Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, William “Buddy” Sentner, III
Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, Patrick J. Henry
Ronald A. Lariviere, Daniel E. O’Connor, Edward J. Seitz, Stephen E. Sullivan
Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, David J. Hoefler
Drug Enforcement Administration, Arthur L. Cash, Thomas J. Devine, Rickie C. Finley,
Richard Heath, Jr., Hector Jordan, George M. Montoya,
William Ramos, Raymond Stastny
Environmental Protection Agency, David R. DeLitta,, William T. Parr
Federal Protective Service, Robert P. Dana, Michael J. Doyle, William J. Martin, Ronald C. Sheffield
Lowery Ware, Sr., Robert W. Yesucevitz,
Immigration and Naturalization Service, Ernest Bowman,
Tommy K. Chin, Robert F. Jenkins, Jr., Anthony S. Minetto, Lawrence B. Pierce
Juan G. Reyes-Orellana, Robert M. Smith
Internal Revenue Service, David H. Feick, Julio D. La Rosa, Richard I. Luht, Jr.,
Alex Moran, Robert E. Rorrer, Howard R. Stuart-Houston
National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Secure Transportation
Kristopher D. Youngberg, National Park Service, Margaret A. Anderson, Robert W. Baron, Kris Eggle
Joseph D. Kolodski, Robert E. Mahn, Jr., Steve R. Makuakane-Jarrell
Duane P. McClure, Robert L. McGhee, Danial P. Madrid, Thomas O'Hara, Christopher Nickel, Julie A. Weir
Naval Criminal Investigative Service,
Douglas B. Kocina, Jerry W. Kramer, Thomas P. Marzilli
Pentagon Force Protection Agency
James M. Feltis, III
Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General
Stephen P. Shaw
Tennessee Valley Authority
Timothy P. Huckaby
Transportation Security Administration Federal Air Marshal Service
Kenneth R. Meisel, Michele Paul
United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations
Ryan A. Balmer, Michael A. Cinco
Matthew J. Kuglics, Daniel J. Kuhlmeier, Chester J. McBride, III
Nathan J. Schuldheiss, Peter W. Taub, Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen, David A. Wieger
United States Capitol Police
James T. Chapin, Jacob J. Chestnut,
Christopher S. Eney, John M. Gibson, James A. Griffith, Clinton J. Holtz
U.S Custom Service
Renault R. Bayhi, Charles J. Bokinskie, James A. Buczel, David L. Crater
David E. DeLoach, Gary P. Friedli, Paul D. Ice, Alan J. Klumpp, Richard M. Latham, Timothy C. McCaghren
Claude A. Medearis, Glenn R. Miles, Sr., Pedro J. Rodriguez, George R. Saenz, George J. Spencer
Carl R. Talafous, James D. Taylor, Manuel Zurita VII
U. S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations
Julio E. Baray, Christopher D. Carney, James S. Litz, Robert F. Smith, Clinton B. Thrasher
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations
Carlo Cayabyab, Roel De La Fuente,
Domingo Jasso, III, Richard G. McCoy, Alfonso Murrieta, Omar E. Palmer, Richard Rios,
Domingo Jasso, III, Richard G. McCoy, Alfonso Murrieta, Omar E. Palmer, Richard Rios, Jose A. Santana, Lucas Saucedo, Ching Kok Yan
U. S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Intelligence
Christopher T. Bacon
U. S. Customs and Border Protection, U. S. Border Patrol
Manuel A. Alvarez, Agustin Aguilar Jr., Luis A. Aguilar, Travis W. Attaway, Jose D. Baraza,
Jefferson L. Barr
Eric N. Cabral, Leopoldo E. Cavazos, Jr., Hector R. Clark, Charles F. Collins, II,
George B. DeBates, David R. Delaney, Jesus De La Ossa, Jarod C. Dittman, James R. Dominguez, Donna M. Doss,
Roberto J. Duran, James P. Epling,
Michael V. Gallagher, Alexander I. Giannini, Richard Goldstein, David Gomez, Marco A. Gonzalez, Nicholas D. Greenig,
Eloy Hernandez, Catherine M. Hill, Robert M.Hotten, Nicholas J. Ivie, Daniel M. James, Jr., John D. Keenan, Alexander Kirpnick,
Xavier G. Magdaleno, Josiah B. Mahar, Miguel J. Maldonado, Jr., Rogelio Martinez
John R. McCravey, Cruz C. McGuire, Isaac Morales, Johan S. Mordan, Jose A. Nava, Ramon Nevarez, Jr.
Victor C. Ochoa, Walter S. Panchison, Jason C. Panides, Luis O. Peña, Jr., Jeffrey Ramirez
Tyler R. Robledo, Susan L. Rodriguez, Eduardo Rojas, Jr., Robert W. Rosas, Jr.,
Enrique J. Rositas, Jr., Manuel Salcido, Jr., Norman Ray Salinas, Ricardo G. Salinas, Luis A. Santiago
Stephen C. Starch, Stephen M. Sullivan, Brian A. Terry, David J. Tourscher, Mark F. Van Doren, Aurelio E. Valencia,
Javier Vega, Jr., David Villarreal, David N. Webb, Joseph R. White, Thomas J. Williams,
Jeremy M. Wilson, Darrell J. Windhaus, John R. Zykas
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
Thomas P. Cloherty, Richard J. Guadagno, Douglas J. Morris
U.S Forest Service
Stephen A. Bowman, Jason M. Crisp, Kristine M. Fairbanks, Brent K. Jacobson,
Michael R. Smith, Michael L. Staples, Christopher A. Upton
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations
Louis H. Aguirre, Timothy A. Ensley, Dennis P. McCarthy,
Jeremy Scott McGuire, Edward J. Smith, Robert T. Williams, Thomas M. Wischerth, Jamie J. Zapata
U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations
Brian Pecson Beliso, Lorenzo R. Gomez
U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Office of Investigations
David G. Wilhelm
U. S. Marshals Service
Bucky E. Burke, Patrick Thomas Carothers, Robert S. Cheshire, Jr.,
William F. Degan, Jr., Kenneth Doyle
Roy L. Frakes, Christopher D. Hill, Peter P. Hillman,
Derek W. Hotsinpiller, Norman Dee Merkel
Betty Ann Pascarella, John B. Perry, Zacarias Toro, Jr.,
Josie Lamar Wells, Chase S. White
U. S. Mint
Ted M. Shinault
U. S. Park Police
Michael A. Boehm, Hakim A. Farthing, Ricardo M. Preston
U. S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General
Greg R. Boss
U. S. Secret Service
Donald A. Bejcek, Cynthia C. Brown, Richard T. Cleary, James S. Collins
Daniel M. Connolly, Julie Y. Cross, Scott E. Deaton, Hector L. Diaz
J. Clifford Dietrich, Myles Colin Johnson, Phillip C. Lebid,
Donald R. Leonard, Mickey B. Maroney, Manuel J. Marrero-Otero, Nole Remagen,
Donald W. Robinson, James M. Ryan, Christopher J. Smith, Stewart P. Watkins, Alan G. Whicher
Please stand for the retiring of the colors followed by the benediction
from Chaplain Jason Warren U.S Customs and Border Protection Field Operations Academy
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Let us pray. Almighty God we have come together to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
We have etched their names in stone so that we will never forget
and so that none of the future generations will forget the price they paid for our nation.
Just as those officers and agents served our nation, so did their families.
Lord we ask for a special grace comfort and peace for those who have lost their mothers fathers
sisters brothers daughters sons wives husbands and best friends. May God's presence completely
surround you and fill your hearts and know that God now has them in his hands. We thank you Lord
for the hope that one day we will see them again embrace them once again and cry on their shoulders
once again. They will always have a special place in our hearts. May we always remember
and cherish the special moments we had with each of them. Thank you lord in your holy name. Amen.
Thank you Chaplain Warren. Special thanks to all who planned and participated in today's
ceremony. Very nice job. For those of you unable to view the ceremony during the live stream
FLETC will share a link to today's ceremony on our social media platforms. We're going to end
today's ceremony with a memorial video to honor and remember those we've lost in 2019 and 2020..
Thank you for joining us today. Thanks for all you do for our country. Stay safe.
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