Lee County honors 12 fallen deputies in emotional wreath ceremony

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—The Lee County Sheriff's Office honored 12 fallen officers with a ceremony featuring bagpipes, roses, and an honor guard.

Family members and deputies watched as the names of fallen officers were read aloud. The officers lost their lives while serving the community.

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Roses were placed in front and eventually placed on a wreath. The 12 roses represented the 12 who died while serving the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Family members of the fallen from across the county placed the roses. The most recent was Natalie Diaz, who lost her husband nearly five years ago.

Sgt. William Diaz died from COVID-19 complications. Diaz said while the loss doesn't get easier, being around others who've gone through it gives her comfort.

"It's really hard, it's really hard coming every year and kind of reliving the death over and over again, but it's beautiful, it's beautiful because they are remembered," Diaz said.

The ceremony focused on keeping the names of the fallen officers alive. The event mixed grief for those who lost their loved ones with pride for their brave service to the community.