JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It was an emotional morning at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena for the JSO Police Memorial Day observance ceremony.
Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office added another name to the Fallen Officers Memorial Wall.
“This year we change our roll call of honor and add to our wall the name of Christopher Cunningham, a police lieutenant who was taken from us far too soon,” Sheriff Mike Williams said.
JSO deputies lined the streets of Downtown Jacksonville for the ceremony.
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The community was not only remembering the 62 names on the wall but also honoring the newly added 63rd: Lieutenant Christopher Cunningham.
“When one of us falls, it’s felt by all,” Sheriff Mike Williams said.
One hour away from the start. pic.twitter.com/vVoWTJTJDQ
— Gretchen Kernbach (@GretchenK_TV) October 5, 2021
Lieutenant Cunningham passed away in August of 2020 from COVID-19. He is one of 31 law enforcement officers in Florida who have died from the virus this year.
His wife Lisa said the ceremony was overwhelming in a beautiful way.
“He’s gone, and up to now hearing the last call, the way it’s done with his name on the wall, is beautiful but it’s sad at the same time if I could say that,” Lisa Cunningham said.
She said he loved his job with his whole heart, and he treated every day like it was his first.
“It was like a heartbeat for him. I can’t explain it any other way,” Lisa said.
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Lisa and Sheriff Williams unveiled Cunningham’s name together.
She said seeing his name immortalized on the wall is a somber reminder that he’s not coming home.
“The honoring of the wall that’s the finality of his service,” Lisa said.
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