Destin, Fla. – Communities across the nation will be observing National Police Week which is a time to honor and remember law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and those who continue to protect and serve our community. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. In Okaloosa County, four deputies have been killed in the line of duty. One of those officers was Deputy Anthony “Tony” Forgione, brother of Code Compliance Manager Joey Forgione. On July 22, 2008, Deputy Forgione was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who had escaped from custody while he was undergoing a mental evaluation at a local hospital. Deputy Forgione was part of the Special Response Team (SRT) who entered the suspect’s home after attempts with negotiators failed to get him to come out of the home. Deputy Forgione was killed when the suspect opened fire. For Joey Forgione, National Police Week is a time to “remember and honor our heroes and I encourage everyone to please take a minute and thank a law enforcement officer and a survivor. Trust me, it goes a long way.” According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 163 officers died in the line of duty in 2018. City Manager Lance Johnson stated, “We will honor and never forget our fallen officers. I am inspired by those who put their lives on the line daily to preserve the peace in our communities.”
Citizens can also show their support by placing a blue light in the window of their home or front doorstep light to honor our local law enforcement officers. For more information please visit https://www.odmp.org/.