Delores L. Walker

67 years after Officer John W. Morgan was killed, family members traveled to Tallahassee to receive tribute for his bravery in the line of duty.



When granddaughter Reba Prine Putnal of Mayo heard her grandfather’s name called during the Florida Police Memorial, May 4 and 5, she felt that closure for his untimely death was finally reached.



The moving event held at the state capital was the 21st Annual Police Memorial Service to honored police officers killed in the line of duty.



Five officer’s that had died in 2002 were honored: Renee D. Azure, Union County Sheriff’s Office; Jefferson H. Davis, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office; Daniel Dale Green, Tallahassee Police Department; Donald Lee Schavolt, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Wilbert Wiggins, Sr., Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.



Officers who were honored from past years were: Carl H. Cushman, Lakeland Police Department; Arthur Dillard, State Beverage Department; Glen R. Faulk, Palatka Police Department; Joseph B. Jordan, State Beverage Department; John W. Morgan, State Beverage Department; Juan “John” Nales, West Tampa Police Department; Corwin Starry, State Beverage Department and Fred L. Tillis, State Beverage Department.



The family members attending the two-day memorial participated in a candlelight vigil Sunday afternoon May 4.



Putnal said the service was so moving. The Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance were followed by the Roll Call of fallen officers just prior to the lighting of the candles.



Once the candles were lit a three-rifle volley was fired and Taps was played.



Putnal said she was understandably moved to tears even though she had never met her grandfather that had died in 1936. “Just to hear his name called among all those others was such a honor for us. We knew he had died honorably, but to have him publicly recognized was unforgettable for the family,” Putnal said.



The ceremony on Monday was well attended. Putnal said the Color Guard was from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem played by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Buglers.



Gov. Bush was the guest speaker and gave a very moving talk followed by the “Roll Call of Heroes.”



Putnal said when the roll call was completed a multitude of butterflies were released. “That was another time that I was teary-eyed, it was so beautiful to see those butterflies drifting skyward,” she said.



There were several music selections, a three-round volley by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Rifle team and once again Taps was played.



Amazing Grace was played on the Bag Pipes, followed by the benediction, the Retirement of Colors, and the recession of survivors.



Putnal was contacted by the Fraternal Order Of Police Florida State Lodge and asked to attend the ceremony that would honor her maternal grandfather John W. Morgan of Lafayette County.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat dated July 12, 1936 that Putnal has , Morgan was an officer with the State Beverage Department. The report states that Morgan died at age 45 when he was killed by a single rifle shot in the back during a raid on an illicit whiskey still at the Braswell farm in Liberty County.



Putnal said her mother was a small child at the time of her father’s death.



“I wish my mother could have seen the honor that was bestowed on her father at the police memorial. It would have meant so much to her,” Putnal said.



Putnal said her grandfather was a school teacher in Lafayette County as well as an inspector for the State Beverage Department.



A plaque was presented to each of the families that had lost a family member in the line of duty. Also, Morgan’s name was added to the memorial that is in the courtyard at the state capitol.



Putnal said it was without a doubt one of the most touching and unforgettable two days that she has ever experienced.