Numerous law enforcement agencies, county employees and citizens were present to honor Grayson County Peace Officers that had been killed in the line of duty since Grayson County was formed in 1873. 

Grayson County Sheriff J. Keith Gary noted historian, Daniel J. Boorstin, made the observation that “the hero reveals the possibilities of human nature.” 

Sheriff Gary said, “The possibilities of human nature are painfully evident in the lives and deaths of those that we salute today.  They died in the line of duty.  Their lives ended as they worked to make sure that their fellow citizen’s lives were lived in safety.  The human possibilities they embodied included selflessness and sacrifice, valor and virtue, honor and humility, and love of others.  Theirs was a willingness to give up life to fulfill their solemn duty.”

Sheriff Gary goes on to say, “the heroes we honor answered a sacred call of duty, and paid the ultimate price.  With a love for others in their hearts and courage in their souls, they gave up their lives.  We recognize their sacrifice and will be forever grateful for their noble contributions to a better, safer, more humane world.”

Quoting from the great English poet of the 1500’s, John Donne, we find “no man is an island, entire of itself.  Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

Sheriff Gary said, “Bells have tolled for 17 brave peace officers who have unselfishly given up their lives to protect their fellow citizens.” 

As Sheriff Gary read the names of the individuals beginning in 1873 which was the first recorded record of a Grayson County peace officer being killed through the year 2000 when the most recent officer gave his life, Sherman’s Chief of Police Tom Watt tolled the bell for each of the officers killed in the line of duty. 

As soon as the last bell was tolled, Sherman Police Officer Chris Carson played Taps to end the ceremony.