MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Police officers from across Miami-Dade County took time on Thursday to honor officers who were killed in the line of duty.
As the bagpipes played, the names of the fallen were read out loud at Tropical Park in southwest Miami-Dade.
One name stands out the most to retired Miami-Dade Police Officer Earle Chantlos.
“I’m here because this is the 50th anniversary of the killing of my partner, Simmons Arrington,” said Chantlos.
The 1974 murder of the cop, in the line of duty, still haunts Chantlos, but he finds comfort at the official memorial wall at Tropical Park that honors all of the 169 officers ever to be killed in Miami-Dade County from multiple agencies.
From a military style flyover to a 21 gun salute, the ceremony had as much flare as it had purpose.
The very latest name added to the wall was Miami Police Officer Paul Schippereit.
His sister offered a public tribute in the form of a flag solemnly folded and given to the Miami police department for its loss.
Lights flashed on police vehicles to highlight the somber moment in what was a memorable event that people may not have known they needed.