Breckenridge Texan

By Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

A memorial ceremony honoring fallen correctional officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty was held at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Walker Sayle Unit on Thursday, May 9. During the ceremony, the unit’s staff joined with community members to honor those men and women and their sacrifices.

Officer Davis presented the Riderless Horse as part of the remembrance ceremony at the Walker Sayle Unit on May 9. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Warden Brian Pollock welcomed attendees and Chaplain Robert Heidecker offered an opening invocation. Christa Friel and Tammy Higgins performed the songs “Sovereign Over Us,” and “I’m Gonna Make It.”

The ceremony included the reading the Correctional Officer Prayer by Officer Lawanda Harris and the lighting of the Memorial Candle by Officer Brandi Collins.

During the Roll Call of TDCJ employees who died in the line of duty, Capt. Frances Cabral and others read the names as Justin Gonzales rang a bell as each name was read. Vickie Collier read the names of the national officers who died in the line of duty, and then she led a moment of silence to remember those honored with the ceremony.

After the playing of Taps, Capt. Cabral explained the symbolism behind the Missing Officer Table, a reminder of those who are absent but not forgotten.

The Missing Officer Table

• • The table is round to show the everlasting concern for the missing loved ones.
  • The tablecloth is white, which symbolizes the purity of their motives while answering the call of duty.
  • The sword symbolizes honor.
  • The single red rose reminds us of the life of each of these missing loved ones, and friends of these correctional staff who keep the faith.
  • The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon as a symbol of the continued determination to remember and take care of our own.
  • The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitter fate of those killed or crippled while protecting society.
  • The pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing, and their families who seek answers.
  • The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those who continue on.
  • The glass inverted symbolizes their inability to share this day’s toast.
  • The chair is empty, for they are missing.

Although gone, they will never be forgotten.

The ceremony also included a riderless horse presentation, led by Officer Davis.

Sgt. Christi Wagner read the poem “Hero’s Welcome,” followed by closing remarks by Warden Pollock and a closing prayer by Chaplain Heidecker.

“We recognize the professionalism and dedication of all staff in corrections and applaud their day to day commitment to maintain the security of our prisons,” the Walker Sayle Unit staff said in the program for the ceremony. “Their courage and dedicated service are an inspiration to us.”

Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the ceremony.

Brian Pollock, warden of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Walker Sayle Unit, welcomed guests to the Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony on May 9. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Missing Officer Table features a variety of items representing reminders of those who died in the line of duty. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

A small crowd of Breckenridge and Stephens County community members and TDCJ employees gathered at the Walker Sayle Unit last week for the Fallen Officer Memorial Ceremony. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Capt. Frances Cabral, right, reads the names of Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees who died in the line of duty as Justin Gonzales, left, rang a bell as each name was read; others helped read the list of names. Vickie Collier, center, read the names of the national officers who died in the line of duty. Click here to see more photos from the ceremony. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)