(Charlotte Harbor) Each year in May the Fraternal Order of Police Robert E. Lister Memorial Lodge 66 holds its ceremony to honor the memory of law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty. This year’s ceremony will be held on Tuesday May 21 at 7:00 pm at the FOP Lodge, located at 23300 Harper Avenue in Charlotte Harbor.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell and Punta Gorda Police Chief Albert Arenal will be among the guest speakers. Presentations will be made by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Punta Gorda Police Department Honor Guard and the FOP Women’s Auxiliary. Several Charlotte County Commissioners are expected to be in attendance.
According to information from the FOP, in 2012 there were five officers in Florida and 120 nation-wide who died in the line of duty. Even though this is a decrease from 2011 when 176 officers died, the incidence of death by gunfire and felonious violent assault has increased.
District 4 Commander Lt. Keri DeHart said, “These brave men and women sacrificed their lives to make our communities a safer place to live. Please join us in paying tribute to them for their ultimate sacrifice.”