Lee County ceremony honors the lives of fallen law enforcement

Remembering those who paid the ultimate price. Tuesday’s ceremony honored 20 law enforcement officers from Southwest Florida. But some of those emotions are still fresh as people remembered the three local officers who have died in the last year.

“They were someone’s son, someone’s father, someone’s wife, someone’s husband,” said Lt. Greg Bueno, of the Florida Highway Patrol.

“We are here to honor Cpl. Matthew Hisler,” said Sheila Shepard, the great-granddaughter of a fallen police officer. “He was the first officer killed in the line of duty for the city of Fort Myers in 1930 and he was our great-grandfather.”

From the first fallen law enforcement officer in Fort Myers to the most recent tragedy at Sanibel Police Department.

“Our hearts go out to them,” Lt. Greg Bueno said. “We were just there.”

Officer Anthony Neri died Monday after collapsing during a training exercise. The pain is all too familiar for members of the FHP and the Fort Myers Police Department.

“You never really heal,” said FMPD Sgt. Domonic Zammit. “You know, we try our best to honor him each and every day.”

Each saying goodbye to one of their own this past year. master Sgt. Daniel Hinton and Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller.

Twenty roses for the 20 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is a sacrifice that brings a family in blue together.

“Through each other and each agency, we have fellow brothers and sisters, families,” Zammit said. “We’re all one and we’ll all get through this together.”

Gone, but never forgotten.

“Hold on to the memories,” Shepard said. “The good times and the love of the brotherhood.”