WASHINGTON, D.C. – The names of 11 Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty were added to the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
The 11 names are among 619 names that were engraved on the wall. They were read during the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil, which was held Friday evening in Washington, D.C.
Fifty-one of those names are of fallen officers from the state of Florida.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 472 officers were killed in 2021 -- the most ever to be added to the memorial in a single year. Of those deaths, 319 were COVID-19-related.
An additional 147 officers died in previous years, and their deaths had not been previously documented until the Memorial Fund’s research staff and a team of volunteers confirmed their record of law enforcement service.
“They sacrificed everything. The type of job that they had is not something that most of us would want to choose or have a calling for, but they did. And unfortunately, they lost their lives because of that,” said Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Director of Public Affairs Ashley Spicer. “Last night’s candlelight vigil was unbelievably powerful. They listed off over 600 names of men and women who have died in the line of duty. It was just very special for the families. Emotional, but it was so touching and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
With the additional names added this year, there are 23,229 officers’ names engraved on the memorial.
“When you actually see the names on that national wall it brings back memories. It brings back the tragic incident that happened but you know that it’s final. [Moyers’] name is on that wall forever,” said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper.
SLIDESHOW: Photos from the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum
Below are the names of the area law enforcement officers that were added. Plaques were also placed inside the National Law Enforcement Museum.
- Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Moyers, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop.
- Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jack Gwynes, a court bailiff who died after battling COVID-19.
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Sgt. Lou Livatino, who died after a battle with COVID-19.
- St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jody Hull, who died after battling COVID-19.
- Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Paul Luciano, who died from complications of COVID-19.
- Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Francisco Celico, who died in 2011.
- Bunnell Police Department Officer Dominic Guida, who suffered a cardiac event during a training event with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and died.
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Clint Seagle, who died after a long battle with COVID-19.
- Jacksonville Beach Police Department Sgt. Dan Watts, who died from COVID-19 complications.
- Green Cove Springs Police Department Chief Derek Asdot, who died following a battle with COVID-19.
- Waycross Police Department Detective Rodney Davis, who died from COVID-19 complications.