KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Police Department and city officials spent Thursday morning honoring members of law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to protect and serve their community.

The Peace Officer Memorial Day ceremony took place right outside the Tullahoma Police Department’s station on Thursday, May 15.

Community Engagement Officer Lyle Russell welcomed everyone in attendance and gave his opening remarks by stating that Peace Officers Memorial Day, and National Police Week signed into proclamation by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, where May 15 was designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The observance gained further recognition in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan expanded it to “encompass the entire week, emphasizing the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers nationwide.”

“Since then, Peace Officers Memorial Day has served as a time for reflection, remembrance and gratitude for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities,” Russell said. “These ceremonies serve as a powerful reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers every day and the profound impact of their sacrifice of their families, colleagues and communities. They also provide an opportunity for citizens to express their gratitude and support for those who serve on the front lines of public safety.”

Following the invocation prayer from Sgt. Willie Young of the Tullahoma Police Department, Russell introduced cadets Gunnery Sgt. Kiley Arthur, 1^st Sgt. Charles Gillis, 1^st Lt. Tyler Key and Lance Cpl. Ethan Ruff of the Tullahoma High School MCJROTC Color Guard to present the colors.

Russell then welcomed Tullahoma Police Chief Chase Sons to present the keynote address. Sons shared since December 2024, 147 federal, state, county, municipal, military, tribal and campus officers had died in the line of duty, representing a 25% increase in comparison to the 118 officers who died in the line of duty in 2023.

He then listed off the names of the five Tullahoma police officers who died in the line of duty: Policeman Charles Daniel Holt, End of Watch (EOW) Sunday, Dec. 2, 1934; Policeman Ernest Carl Armstrong, EOW Monday, Dec. 3, 1934; Policeman James Flippo, EOW Sunday, Sept. 6, 1936; Policeman Henry Travis, EOW Saturday, Sept. 26, 1970; and Policeman Clifford Riddle, EOW Saturday, Oct. 10, 1987.

“Each of these officers represent courage, dedication, and selflessness that define the very best of law enforcement,” Sons said. “They were fathers, sons, husbands, friends, and above all they were guardians of their community.”

Sons continued, “When time may pass, remember to speak their names, honor their sacrifice, and support the families they left behind. Let us stand together today with gratitude in our hearts and a shared commitment to build the values for which they gave their lives. May their memories forever be a blessing and may we never take for granted freedom and safety that fought to protect.”

After Sons’ remarks, Russell shared that flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset in honor of the fallen officers. He then welcomed Tullahoma Mayor Lynn Sebourn to present the proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day for Tullahoma.

Sebourn said during his short time as mayor and as a member of the Coffee County Commission that it has been a pleasure to get to know members of both the police department and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.

Before reading the proclamation, Sebourn said while he’s received various complaints, he has yet to receive a substantial complaint against the police department.

“Matter of fact, it’s the opposite,” Sebourn said. “I had citizens come up to me and compliment me about the Tullahoma Police Department. I just want you guys to know that.”

Sebourn also praised the police officers for serving with honor and respect in their duties, including handing the traffic stops for funeral precessions.

 “We’ve had some loss in our family in the last few years and just driving through from the funeral homes out to the cemeteries and you guys at the traffic stops, standing there with your hat off and your hand on your heart and salute that just means everything to the citizens,” Sebourn said. “We appreciate you.”

Following the performance of TAPS by Cpt. Brad Roberts of the sheriff’s office, Russell welcomed Coffee County Sheriff Chad Partin for closing remarks. Partin praised Tullahoma city officials and police officers for the job they do, and said when people drive by a place of monument, they don’t realize that there might be officers lying there.

He pointed out that some of the officers named during the ceremony died during the 1930s, noting that the sheriff’s office also lost an officer during that time as well.

“The 30s were not kind on law enforcement in Coffee County,” Partin said. “We want to recognize them every day. We want to remember them. We want to remember their families, their loved ones. They still have families in our communities. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews are still amongst us today.”

Partin said as sheriff, he was honored to serve among his fellow officers. He said sometimes they don’t agree on things, but no matter what at the end of the day it was important that each officer in uniform goes home safely regardless what any politician, executive or citizen thinks about the job they do.

“Make sure you go home at the end of the day,” Partin said. “Your families need you, your loved ones need you, and we don’t want to see you memorialized. That’s the most important thing.”

He concluded his remarks by stating he hoped to get to know the newer faces he was seeing, as in their line of work a lot of faces come and go, and there weren’t many left who had 20-plus years of service in their profession in the county.

“Stay strong, keep the faith,” Partin said. “Protect one another. Always have each other six, no matter what. God bless you. Be safe and thank you.”