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Hillsborough Memorial Honors Fallen Deputies

News Channel 8 photo by CHRIS COYNER

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office memorial ceremony honored 14 deputies dating back to 1874.

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 2008

TAMPA - The families of fallen deputies lit candles as the rays of the setting sun reflected off Tampa skyscrapers.

Bagpipes played a mournful tune. Then, as dusk approached, the patrol cars and motorcycles parked around Joe Chillura Courthouse Square downtown turned on their emergency lights.

Illumination, and remembrances, for Hillsborough County deputies killed in the line of duty over the years, Sheriff David Gee said.

"It's important to remember those heroes who lost their lives," Gee said, "those heroes called home while serving their community."

The sheriff's office hosted its annual law enforcement memorial service at 6:30 p.m. today. The ceremony, which has been held for more than 20 years, honored 14 deputies dating back to 1874.

And the emotional wounds of the death of Sgt. Ronald Harrison, who was fatally shot Aug. 15 in his unmarked patrol car at Lumsden Road and Kings Avenue, still linger, the sheriff said.

"Last year, we endured the loss of a friend," Gee said. "The painful emotions that were felt that evening will be with us forever."

Harrison, a 28-year veteran, had just completed his shift at a DUI checkpoint. The shooter, Michael Philips, 23, was killed hours later in his mother's home after a standoff with deputies.

Greg Howard, of Plant City, brought his family to the ceremony in memory of his nephew, David Abella, killed in a car wreck in 2004 as the deputy responded to an emergency call.

"We don't ever forget him," Howard said. "We're here to stand up for all he was doing."

Howard's 16-year-old son, Ryan, said his family attends the memorial service each year.

"It keeps him with us," Ryan said of his cousin.

Framed photographs of the deputies lined two tables near the center of Joe Chillura Courthouse Square. Candles, ringed with a small wreath of red roses, were placed in front of each portrait.

"Although this ceremony is only once a year, the memories that fill our hearts and minds will never be forgotten," Gee said.

Those who died in the line of duty are:

Richard Roach, 1874; William Whitehurst, 1893; Ed Aulick, 1932; Robert Suarez, 1944; Sgt. Ben Wilder Jr., 1962; Sgt. Donald C. Williams, 1967; Sgt. James Strachinsky, 1969; Sgt. Lee A. Hutchinson, 1970; James D. Allen, 1974; Cpl. Lemon Harvey, 1981; Frederick Clark, 1987; Donna Miller, 1987; David Abella, 2004; Sgt. Ronald Harrison, 2007.

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