JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of Jacksonville police officers gathered for the annual “Tribute to Fallen Officers” event at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena on Monday.
For the first time in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office history, the event featured a candlelight vigil.
Police Auxiliary Sergeant Lou Livatino’s name will now be added to the Police Memorial Wall. He is among the 64 Jacksonville officers to die in the line of duty.
Livatino died at the age of 71 last January after a battle with COVID-19 which he contracted while in the line of duty. JSO said Livatino volunteered with the police auxiliary for 10 years.
“Lou was a great friend to everyone he met, but it meant a lot to me,” said Billy Ray Watkins.
In the months after Livatino died, JSO added Lieutenant Christopher Cunningham to the wall he also died from COVID-19 complications.
Lieutenant Cunningham served with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for 22 years.
JSO said he contracted the virus while on the job.