ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Over 880 officers have died in the line of duty in Georgia since the Officer Down Memorial page began tracking cases. 12 of those were reported in Dougherty County.

The week of May 11 through 17 is National Police Week. Dougherty County held their annual “Fallen, But Not Forgotten” ceremony on May 15 to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to bring families and law enforcement agencies together as they remember their loved ones.

Dougherty County Police Chief Kenneth Johnson said it’s important that members and families of all agencies are recognized. He said that includes Dougherty County Police, Albany Police Department, Dougherty County Sheriff, Southwest Georgia Regional Airport Police and especially officers at the Marine Corps Logistics Base.

“We, as a community and as law enforcement, recognize those that have fallen to keep them in our spirit and our hearts and to let their families know that we do care, they are not forgotten, and we do remember,” Johnson added.

Across South Georgia, 71 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty since the Georgia Law Enforcement Line of Duty Deaths began recording cases.

Coming up on WALB News 10’s later newscasts, WALB’s Ashanti Isaac speaks with a former Decatur County deputy’s wife. She shares what it means for the community to come together during National Police Week.

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