Events
Wake Tech Honors Fallen Correction Officers
Ceremony Held at Public Safety Education Campus
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 9, 2010) - "Lost but not forgotten." Those are the words inscribed on a plaque that was hung today at Wake Tech's Public Safety Education Campus. The campus held a special ceremony dedicating a portion of its Memorial Wall to honor fallen NC Department of Correction officers.
Ten NCDOC officers from across the state who died in the line of duty between 1939 and 1999 were honored for their courage, sacrifice and service: James S. Chesser, Kermit D. Jackson, Earl C. Strickland, Jenette W. Fish, Randall C. Cupp, Alan P. Kirk, Leslie J. Besci, Sarah M. Valentine, David W. Anthony, and Shannon Smith.
During the ceremony, family members of each of the fallen officers lit candles on a table in front of the Memorial Wall and received white roses to lay in their loved one's memory. The ceremony also included a presentation by the NCDOC Honor Guard and bagpipe music.
"We thank Wake Tech for creating this permanent tribute," said Alvin Keller, NC Secretary of Correction. "It's about remembering and paying tribute."
The Memorial Wall is located inside the newly-expanded campus and honors all public safety personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. "They died as they lived - safeguarding peace and preserving justice," said Dr. James T. Edwards, Wake Tech Assistant Dean and Director of Public Safety. "They placed their lives on the line to protect North Carolina citizens."
Future ceremonies are planned to honor fallen law enforcement, military and fire and rescue personnel.
