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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Huntsville Police Department and Mayor Tommy Battle held its annual Fallen Officer Memorial Service on Friday morning in front of the Fallen Officers Memorial at 815 Wheeler Avenue.

The service honored all Huntsville Police Officers and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community.

Several families of fallen officers attended the memorial, including those of Billy Clardy III, Daniel Golden, and William Freeman.

Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray spoke to the families directly.

“No ceremony, no memorial is ever gonna ease your pain,” McMurray said. “We hope the service today, instead, fills your hearts, knowing that your hero will never be forgotten.”

Since 1883, the Huntsville Police Department has lost 12 officers in the line of duty. Most recently, the deaths of Huntsville Police’s Billy Clardy III in 2019, and Sgt. Nick Risner on October 2, 2021.