'Honor Flag' to fly at fallen deputy's funeral

Deputy Barbara Pill's funeral tomorrow

MELBOURNE, Fla. – A special United States flag used to honor fallen heroes will be displayed at the funeral of Brevard County sheriff's deputy Barbara Pill.

Pill was shot and killed during a traffic stop last Tuesday.

The "Honor Flag" was delivered to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office on Friday.  It was transported by the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.

[Related: Funeral plans announced for Deputy Pill]

The "Honor Flag" travels throughout the country and is flown at funerals of fallen military members, law enforcement and firefighters. 

"This is a reverent honor. It is healing for the family. That sacrifice will never go in vain," said Chris Heisler, founder of the Honor Flag. "This family is going to have a difficult struggle because they wear the badge, they face the sacrifice, they face the challenge."

The flag was displayed at Ground Zero in New York City and recently flew to the International Space Station with the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

"Knowing what that flag represents is pretty special," Major Vic DeSantis of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office said.

A ceremony was held Friday morning at the Calvary Chapel Melbourne for the arrival of the flag.  Deputies saluted it while remembering their fallen co-worker and friend.

"The strength we get internally is that we are so used to relying on each other," DeSantis said.

The flag will be displayed on a pedestal next to Pill's casket.  Both will be guarded until the funeral tomorrow morning.


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