April 14, 2004

Family and friends of Greg Medlin will travel to the nation's capitol in May to see his name added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall of Heroes.

Medlin, a Lieutenant with the Sheriff's Department, died in November after being injured in September when his cruiser wrecked while he was answering a burglary call. Cmdr. James Dunn, said he will travel with the group of 13 that leaves on May 14.

Dunn said Sheriff James Albert Riley asked Dunn to accompany the family and represent the department at the ceremony.

"It will be my honor to do that," Dunn said. "Greg Medlin died in the line of duty, doing what he loved best."

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was dedicated in 1991 by President George Bush. It honors America's federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

Inscribed on the Memorial's blue-gray marble walls are the names of more than 15,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1792. Medlin will be the only officer from Mississippi included in this year's ceremony. He is the first Mississippi officer placed on the Wall of Heroes since a Mississippi wildlife officer and a Moss Point police officer were honored in 2002. Included in those making the trip will be Lt. Medlin's parents, Liz and Floyd Medlin, and his daughters Andi, 12, and 8-year-old Danielle.

Cmdr. David Mitchell said the loss of an officer, especially one as well-liked and respected as Medlin, has a lasting effect on a department. "When you have a tragedy like this it touches the department," he said. "It touches everyone in the department every day."

Since Medlin's death the department has instigated an Officer of the Month program which is named in honor of Medlin. Dunn said the officers receiving the award are humbled and recognize the true honor it represents. The department has also been active in helping to raise funds for Medlin's daughters to help them in the future. "Sheriff Riley remains concerned about these little girls and wants the department to do everything it can to assist them," said Mitchell.

The three-day event in Washington will include the memorial service, a candlelight vigil and other activities to honor the fallen officers.