MILTON — Today, Santa Rosa County residents reflected on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for public safety.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office recognized Officer Jared Forsyth of the Ocala Police Department, Deputy Sheriff William Myers of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and former Sheriff Bart D. Broxson Tuesday morning during their annual Law Enforcement Memorial program.
State Rep. Doug Broxson, guest speaker, said times have changed since his father was Santa Rosa’s sheriff from 1957 to 1959.
“He was called the preacher sheriff; he was a Pentecostal preacher,” Broxson said. “He did not carry a gun … rather than confrontation, he believed in negotiation, and that was the nature of Santa Rosa then. It was a small county, and most issues could be resolved with conversation.”
Sheriff Broxson was killed in an automobile accident on Dec. 24, 1959 in Holley. He and Deputy Henry Lowry were involved in a head-on collision while responding to complaint call. Sheriff Broxson died after being transported to Santa Rosa Medical Center.
Following his death, Circuit Judge Woodrow Melvin appointed Broxson’s widow as acting sheriff until her son, John Ray Broxson, was appointed to fill the unexpired term.
Last week, Sheriff Bart Broxson’s name was placed on the Florida Sheriffs Association Memorial in Tallahassee. Rep. Broxson said his father’s name will be memorialized on the Florida State Capitol’s steps next year and, later this summer, his name will be added to a memorial in Washington D.C.
“This has been an unexpected dream come true for us by putting a capstone on a great man and letting us continue to enjoy the memory of the man who served his county and loved this country,” he said.
Rep. Broxson thanked SRCSO Sheriff Wendell Hall and his department for honoring his father and other law enforcement officers who died. Broxson also thanked current law enforcement officers for their bravery and sacrifice.
“I want to thank each one of you for serving,” he said. “We do not take it granted; our family does not take it for granted, and I know your families … are more than thankful that you came home safe.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'We do not take it for granted,' Broxson says of Santa Rosa law enforcement