Officers saluted for making ultimate sacrifice

Fallen Dothan Police officers
—Hugh DeShazo, killed while making a telephone call while on a call at Dixie Grocery Store on Dec. 8, 1914; he died the next day.
—Shelby Owens, killed in a motorcycle accident on Nov. 9, 1970.
—Robert Jackson, a narcotics officer gunned down in his driveway on Jan. 31, 1978.
—Robert Armstrong, killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver on Jan. 19, 1985.

An American flag, a police cap and a motorcycle helmet, along with four lit candles, sat on a side table in the city courtroom Friday morning as Police Chief John Powell and Mayor Pat Thomas placed a wreath of flowers nearby.

“Amazing Grace” played over the speaker system, followed by the playing of a real-time video of a 21-gun salute going on outside on the grounds of the municipal building, next door to the police station.

As Dothan Police Sgt. Benny Baxley played Taps, silence held the crowd of approximately 200 gathered to mark Law Enforcement Memorial Day during National Police Week.

Slowly, Corp. Rachel David read the names of the four fallen Dothan officers – Hugh DeShazo, Sgt. Shelby Owens, Lt. Robert Jackson and Cpl. Robert E. Armstrong. Two were killed in traffic accidents in the line of duty, while DeShazo and Jackson were shot dead as they performed their duties as police officers – keeping the peace in an often turbulent world.

“We honor these men by continuing the fight to make this community a better place,” U.S. Attorney Leura Canary, of the Middle District of Alabama, told those gathered to recognize the men and women and the families of those who risk their lives daily in the protection of the public.

“You have an exceptional law enforcement community in Dothan and Houston County,” she said. “I stand here in awe of the bravery of law enforcement officers. God bless the families who have sacrificed.”

Canary, the granddaughter of a former Monroe County sheriff, said the community must never forget that law enforcement is both a difficult job and an important one.

She recounted two recent Wiregrass shootings in Geneva and Henry counties, which claimed the life of Headland Police Officer Dexter Hammond, severely injured Henry County Sheriff Deputy Ted Yost and put numerous officers in harm’s way.

“On April 24, 2009, Dexter Hammond responded to ‘officer down.’ Deputy Ted Yost was already injured. When Deputy Yost answered the call, it was a routine call, but he faced a man intent on killing him. Officer Hammond was running to danger.”

That no officers were killed in the March shooting spree of Michael McClendon in Geneva County, Canary called “miraculous.”

“By the grace of God, officers were not severely hit or killed in the line of duty that day,” she said.

Officials acknowledged that God walks daily with law enforcement as they make their rounds and patrol the streets and county roads of the Wiregrass.

On the table where memories of the fallen are left, stands a small statue of a police officer, gun drawn with a child held protectively close. An angel’s wings are wrapped around the officer.

“May God bless each of you that protect us daily,” Houston County Commissioner Bobby Snellgrove said.

Several echoed those sentiments.

“You are overworked and underpaid, but you are the first to be called,” District Attorney Doug Valeska said. “Thank you for what you do for our community. You are important. You risk your lives. We are grateful.”