ORLANDO, Fla. – I had the opportunity to be part of something truly unique and, honestly, something I’ve never seen done quite like this before.
The Valencia College Criminal Justice Training Center hosted its own memorial service, honoring former recruits who trained in their program and later lost their lives in the line of duty. Over the years, 10 of their own have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving right here in our community.
Let that sink in for a second.
These aren’t just names on a wall. These are men and women who once sat in those same classrooms, went through the same training, and walked the same halls as the recruits who are coming up right now.
I’ll be honest, in all my years around law enforcement, I’ve never seen a criminal justice center host something like this. And to me, that says everything about the passion and dedication they have, not just to training future officers, but to staying connected to them long after they graduate.
It was an absolute honor to be asked to serve as the keynote speaker for this event. Moments like this remind me why I do what I do; it’s never just about traffic. It’s about people, service, and remembering those who gave everything.
For the recruits in the room, it was real. A reminder of the responsibility that comes with the badge. For the instructors, you could feel the pride and the heartbreak, knowing the impact they’ve had on every class that’s come through.
And for me, it was a chance to take you behind the scenes of something that doesn’t get seen very often, a place where training meets tradition, and where those who are lost are never forgotten.
Hope you take a moment to watch this one. It means a little more.