Remembering our fallen officers in Gulfport

Today we remember family, friends, and heroes at the Gulfport Police Department’s Fallen Officer Ceremony. From 1900 to 2008, the Gulfport Police Department has lost eight brave men in the line of duty.
News 25’s Taylor Rubach spoke with family and friends of the fallen officers.
“Each of these officers knew the peril that they faced and each of these officers accepted these things with great pride and dignity.” Hands clasped in support and comfort, emotions flowed without restraint at Gulfport’s Fallen Officer Ceremony. After words of commendation by Chief Leonard Papania, policemen laid a single yellow rose in honor of the eight officers who made the ultimate sacrifice as an official end of watch is called out.
This ceremony hits especially close to the heart of Commander Chris Ryle. “It’s a somber day for us, losing eight officers obviously, but I was here when Lt. Robert Curry was killed and Rob and I were good friends.”
The last rose placed was for Lt. Robert Curry who died in a motorcycle accident in 2008. His mother, Dorothy Gibson, is thankful for the service in remembering not one, but all fallen officers. “They’ll always be with you. They’re in your heart. You never lose them. They’re right here in your heart and you know they’re always watching over you, always.”
Although negativity tends to spread in other parts of the country when it comes to our Blue, the community still stands strong and unified in South Mississippi. Resident Kerry Hudson said, “We need to support our police officers. They get so much flak, so much criticism, and we need to come back and support our community a hundred percent and tell them they’re doing a good job.”
“Everybody showing up, we’re one big community. We’re, like they said, an anomaly from most other communities. We are very supportive of our community,” said Commander Ryle.
And the lawmen and women who serve it, both in life and memory.