Albany area law enforcement agencies remember the fallen during annual ceremony

Alan Mauldin, The Albany Herald, Ga.
·4 min read

ALBANY – With the placing of flowers on wreaths and the sound of "Taps" playing on the sound system, members of the law enforcement community and the families of officers who gave their lives in the line of duty remembered the fallen on Wednesday.

The annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at Albany Technical College honored 11 officers from five local law enforcement agencies.

For Rachel Lisenbee of Arkansas, who was accompanied by her husband, David Lisenbee, Wednesday's ceremony marked the first time she had participated in an Albany memorial since the death of her son, U.S. Marine Corps. Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee, who died on March 21, 2007.

“I just believe the Holy Spirit urges us to do things for the best,” she said of her decision to make the trip to Dougherty County this year. “It’s an honor that they’re remembered and that the city and the county honor these fallen heroes. This is bittersweet for all of us.”

Lee was killed while serving as a dog handler and explosives detector in Iraq. The German shepherd Lex, with whom he worked, also was wounded but survived, and the dog was granted an early retirement to live with Lee’s family.

For Susan Juneau Childers of Albany, the ceremony was a familiar one. In the section reserved for families of fallen officers, she saw faces she has seen over the years at the memorial ceremony

Her husband, Chief John Ross Juneau of the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport Police Department, died 21 years ago after chasing a shoplifter. Juneau, who was working off-duty at the Albany Mall, suffered a fatal heart attack after running down the suspect on May 2, 2003.

“My biggest regret, of course, is for my children and my grandchildren,” Childers said. “All the graduations that were missed and the births that were missed, but life does go on. A new generation does start with his grandson, Emmet Ross Juneau.

“Time goes on, but I am thankful they do a yearly service for all those who lost their lives in the line of service.”

The other officers recognized were:

— Albany Police Department: Patrolman Marion C. Collins, Feb. 9, 1920; Chief Robert S. Wallis, Jan. 24, 1928; Patrolman Earl B. Crenshaw, June 18, 1956; Patrolman Thomas W. Dunbar, Oct. 26, 1961; Patrolman Randy E. Brown, June 10, 1979 and Cpl. Terry Lewis Flemming, Oct. 28, 2011;

— Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office: Capt. Thomas Mitchell Williamson and Lt. Albert Duane Clark, both of whom died on Nov. 16, 1988;

— Dougherty County Police Department: Lt. Thomas Clifford Rouse, Dec. 23, 2010.

Sumter County Sheriff Eric Bryant, who was the speaker for the occasion, said that the ceremonies taking place across the country during National Police Week are meant to show that there is comfort to those who sometimes feel anger and frustration about their loss.

“Today we remember the men and women in uniform who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Bryant said. “You think about how it affects their families every day, how it affects their children each and every day. Not only do we show love, we show appreciation. Today we want you to know, as we remember and reflect, that we will never forget.”

On a day that the family members and co-workers of those who died on the job in law enforcement were gathered, Bryant asked that they remember the good times as well as the loss and pain. He also encouraged them to remember the pride their loved ones and comrades showed in putting on their uniforms for a job that often does not come with great compensation in terms of pay and benefits.

“Ladies and gentlemen, they are people who do respond,” he said. “Today we celebrate them. We remember the great things. Today is a day of love. That’s what today’s program is all about, reminding you this community will never forget.”

The fallen officers’ lives were filled with purpose and they were committed to serving and protecting their community, Dougherty County Police Chief Kenneth Johnson said.

“We are gathered here today to honor multiple individuals who left an indelible mark on our heart,” Johnson said. “There is no greater gift one man gives than to lay down one’s life for his friend; I repeat, no greater gift than to lay down one's life for his friend.”