National Police Week Prayer Breakfast

In honor of National Police Week, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Sumter Police Department hosted a Prayer Breakfast this morning at The Church of The Holy Comforter.

“I’m honored to be part of this day so that we may come together for such a special time,” Inv. Gwen Herod of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office told the crowd.

Herod asked the audience to reflect on the officers who truly gave all.

“They are remembered every day,” she said, noting that today, May 16, 2017, is the 12^th anniversary of the day we lost Lance Cpl. Jonathan Parker, who served in the Sheriff’s Office and with the S.C. Highway Patrol.

The other fallen officers honored were: Deputy William Strange, Sgt. Allen Brazzell and Sgt. Charles Kubala Sr. – all of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office – along with S.C. Highway Patrolman Jimmy Traylor and Cpl. Charles Nesbitt and Officer William Clyde, both of the Sumter Police Department.

Rev. Gene Mosier offered the Invocation, noting that the names mentioned made the ultimate sacrifice, “like you did, Lord,” as he asked God to bless the leaders of the organizations to look to Him for guidance and understanding.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors and the Rev. John F. Kennedy sang the National Anthem.

Sheriff’s Office Inv. Randall Stewart read from the thirteenth chapter of Romans, noting that “all authority comes from God.”

“Lord I ask for courage – courage to face and conquer my own fears,” he prayed. “I ask for strength – strength of body to protect others and strength of spirit to lead others.”

The Rev. Al Sims read a passage of Scripture from Hebrews: “But to do good and to communicate forget not, but with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us, for we trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly.”

Sims then prayed for all those present and for those being honored.

Retired Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson sang Celine Dion's “The Power of The Dream," and ended with a verse of prayer by Dion as well.

Sheriff’s Office Attorney Kathy Ward introduced keynote speaker Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., who represents District 67 in the state Legislature.

Smith told the crowd that the best part of being a legislator is being able to participate in important events in Sumter County and across the state.

“This is truly one of those events,” he said. “Today our Sumter community joins others across America in honoring National Peace Officers Memorial Week. We are gathering to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty. We acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice and how profoundly grateful we are that brave men and women risk everything to protect us all each day.”

Smith touched on the sixteenth chapter of Proverbs, which reads in part, “The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.”

As an attorney and lawmaker, he’s often reminded of those words, he said, and at the Statehouse, legislators are “trying to map out those highways of righteousness to make our laws follow what’s right and fair.”

The concern is the same in the courtroom, he said, but involves tracing the twists and turns that people have taken after they’ve veered off the main road.

“The trouble usually arises when someone thinks he knows a good, often creative shortcut,” he said. “Obviously, it is our peace officers who know the upright highways best.”

Law enforcement officers are out patrolling our neighborhood streets every day, he said, and help keep our communities within the boundaries of our laws. It takes someone special to undertake the risks involved with safeguarding our neighbors, he said.

Most of the people being memorialized were likely not given an opportunity to reflect upon their lives, he said.

“They probably didn’t have an opportunity to look back and see the courage, fulfillment and love,” he said. “We are doing that for them here today in Sumter County and all across this country during National Peace Officers Memorial Week.”

Today we reflect upon what our communities lost in the fallen officers as we remember their sacrifices, he said.

“We are profoundly grateful for the courage, skill and dedication of all those who safeguard our lives and livelihoods,” he said.

Herod said when a small group got together a few years ago to organize the first Prayer Breakfast, they saw fit to recognize one of their own – someone who embodies the wisdom of King Solomon.

“This year’s recipient of the Solomon Award has literally spent decades, day in and day out serving our community,” he said. “He’s made a difference in the lives of countless young men and women as he’s guided them along their own path to service.”

He’s a man of faith, honor, conviction and integrity, she said.

“He is indeed a man of wise counsel,” she said. “He loves the Lord and his family. He has protected and served us for over 35 years.”

Herod then noted the 2017 recipient of the Solomon Award is Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

A surprised Dennis said he didn’t have a speech but wanted to thank his peers.

“This award means a lot to me and my family,” he said.

After a benediction from Rev. Sims, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Hampton Gardner and members of the Sheriff’s Office Gospel Choir led the final inspection.