Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, other law enforcement officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty will be honored at the Third Annual “Fallen Heroes Memorial Service” this Saturday, May 19th. The ceremony will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, at 9:00 a.m.

“We thank the staff at Memorial Park Cemetery for their kindness to host this annual event. The service reminds all of us to give tribute and honor to those who made the supreme sacrifice for our community,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

The service will be conducted in the “Fallen Heroes Memorial” section of the cemetery near the Poplar Avenue entrance. Personnel from several law enforcement agencies and fire departments in and near Shelby County will attend.

“We appreciate this opportunity to show our appreciation for our law enforcement officers and firefighters who have given their lives for the sake of others. We must never forget their courage and bravery to help keep our community safe,” said Dennis Hamilton, General Manager of Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery.

Congressman Steve Cohen will be the keynote speaker along with other dignitaries including Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner David Mitchell, Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Walker and Fayette County Sheriff Bobby Riles.

Commissioner Mitchell, Colonel Walker and Sheriff Riles will speak about the officers from their departments who were killed in the line of duty this past year.

In October of 2006, Fayette County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy V. Reynolds died in a traffic crash while responding to a call.

In January of this year, State Trooper Calvin Jenks of the Tennessee Highway Patrol was shot to death during a traffic stop in Tipton County.

There are now 135 names of law enforcement officers and firefighters on the “Fallen Heroes Memorial” at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Sheriff Luttrell and other agency representatives will read those names out loud during the ceremony.

Also during the event, City of Memphis Mayor Dr. W.W. Herenton and Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton will place wreaths at the memorial marker to honor the officers and firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty.