JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The City of Jacksonville held its annual Peace Officers Memorial Day observance today to honor officers and first responders who died in the line of duty.
Law enforcement from Onslow County and Jacksonville gathered at the Jacksonville Public Safety Remembrance Garden for the 10 a.m. ceremony.
Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps says things like this remind him of why he does the job.
“It’s great to take the time to honor our heroes and support survivors. For me, that’s everything. That’s why we do our job, for commitment to our community,” Phelps said.
Detective William Whitehead and Officer Terry Lanier were among those honored, as well as other law enforcement officers.
Officer Lanier’s daughter, Jennifer Arnold, left at 3 a.m. Friday from her Virginia home to attend the ceremony honoring her father, who died in 1979, before she had the chance to meet him.
Lanier was killed when he was stabbed in the neck on the job and was later pronounced dead at Onslow Memorial Hospital.
Even though Arnold has moved away, she said Jacksonville still feels like home.
“I love my hometown. I stop by to see the memorials every time and visit my dad’s tombstone,” Arnold said.
Arnold said she always attends the annual ceremony because she appreciates the city’s recognition of her father and other fallen first responders.
“The City of Jacksonville has this every year. I meet new people, they come forth, introduce themselves, and they speak about my father and how good a man he was,” Arnold said.
The ceremony included remarks from Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps, Onslow County Sheriff Chris Thomas, and Mayor Sammy Phillips, as well as a gun salute and ceremonial wreath-laying.
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