In recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Week, officers from local Sevier County law enforcement agencies placed flags on the graves of fallen police officers buried throughout the county. National Peace Officers Memorial Week was set aside by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 and is celebrated each year in May to honor fallen police officers throughout the country.
In 2014, Detective Lynn Breeden of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office started a flag memorial for former officers buried in Sevier County by placing a blue-line flag on their graves in honor of their service.
Detective Breeden has currently served for 29 years in law enforcement and feels that a fallen police officer should be honored for the sacrifices that they, along with their families have made mentioning the stress associated with the job and by putting themselves in danger or their life on the line for our community.
Detective Breeden has enjoyed doing the research and going out to locate the grave sites of the fallen officers and has partnered with other officers to assist with this project. This year all the city departments within Sevier County including the Gatlinburg Police Department, Pigeon Forge Police Department, Pittman Center Police Department and Sevierville Police Department have joined in helping place flags on graves. Please view each department’s Facebook page to see their participation.
Over the years, money has been donated by individuals to purchase the flags. Detective Breeden is so grateful for the help of ours and would like this memorial to continue to grow by donations and support from others. Anyone that would like to donate to the effort to assist in purchasing flags contact Det. Breeden at 865-774-3898
Original source can be found here
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