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JIM KILL · 08-21-2007, 07:31 AM

Fallen Hillsborough Deputy's Funeral Steeped In Ritual, Tradition

TAMPA - Law enforcement funerals are ripe with procedure and tradition. Sgt. Ron Hamlin Harrison's funeral today will encompass several long-standing rituals.

Harrison, a veteran of almost 28 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and a father of four, was fatally shot early Wednesday in the line of duty. He was 55.

Harrison was the first Hillsborough County deputy shot and killed in the line of duty since Cpl. Lemon Harvey in December 1981.

At today's services, the sheriff's office honor team will play bagpipes. Members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers will carry the casket into the church. And after the service, a bagpiper will lead the recessional outside the church, where officers will assemble into two formations.

The sheriff's office anticipates about 5,000 people at the funeral, which is at Idlewild Baptist Church, 18375 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

The viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. Representatives from the sheriff's office will take turns standing at attention alongside Harrison's casket.

Seven people will offer reflections on Harrison at the 1 p.m. service, including Gov. Charlie Crist and Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee. One of Harrison's daughters, his son and ex-wife also will speak at the service, as will Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White.

The procession after the service will begin about 3 p.m. and will travel from northwestern Hillsborough County to the Highland Pines area of Tampa in a double column, likely spanning two lanes of traffic. It will last about 50 minutes, traveling 25 mph.

The sheriff's office has advised motorists to expect delays on nearby roads.

The scheduled procession route begins at Idlewild Baptist Church, proceeds south on Dale Mabry to Bearss Avenue, heads east on Bearss to Interstate 275, runs south on I-275 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then heads east on Martin Luther King to Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E. Lake Ave.

At graveside, Harrison's casket will be carried by members of the sheriff's office honor team. Officers from District II, where Harrison worked, will assemble in a platoon formation as the casket is placed at graveside.

A riderless horse - representing the fallen sergeant - will be escorted by a deputy on foot. A bagpiper will play "Amazing Grace."

Then four aviation units - two from the sheriff's office, two from the Tampa Police Department - will do a flyover. One helicopter will peel away, symbolizing the fallen sergeant. Then there will be a rifle salute.

The honor team will play taps. A flag will be presented to Gee, who in turn will present it to one of Harrison's daughters.

Then a sheriff's deputy will try to radio Harrison, calling out for him three times. After no response, they will declare a 10.7, code for out of service. Finally, doves will be released into the heavens

08-21-2007, 07:31 AM	#23
JIM KILL TampaBay Vettes Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,810 Name : Jim Kill	Services Today!! Fallen Hillsborough Deputy's Funeral Steeped In Ritual, Tradition TAMPA - Law enforcement funerals are ripe with procedure and tradition. Sgt. Ron Hamlin Harrison's funeral today will encompass several long-standing rituals. Harrison, a veteran of almost 28 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and a father of four, was fatally shot early Wednesday in the line of duty. He was 55. Harrison was the first Hillsborough County deputy shot and killed in the line of duty since Cpl. Lemon Harvey in December 1981. At today's services, the sheriff's office honor team will play bagpipes. Members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers will carry the casket into the church. And after the service, a bagpiper will lead the recessional outside the church, where officers will assemble into two formations. The sheriff's office anticipates about 5,000 people at the funeral, which is at Idlewild Baptist Church, 18375 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. The viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. Representatives from the sheriff's office will take turns standing at attention alongside Harrison's casket. Seven people will offer reflections on Harrison at the 1 p.m. service, including Gov. Charlie Crist and Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee. One of Harrison's daughters, his son and ex-wife also will speak at the service, as will Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White. The procession after the service will begin about 3 p.m. and will travel from northwestern Hillsborough County to the Highland Pines area of Tampa in a double column, likely spanning two lanes of traffic. It will last about 50 minutes, traveling 25 mph. The sheriff's office has advised motorists to expect delays on nearby roads. The scheduled procession route begins at Idlewild Baptist Church, proceeds south on Dale Mabry to Bearss Avenue, heads east on Bearss to Interstate 275, runs south on I-275 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then heads east on Martin Luther King to Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 E. Lake Ave. At graveside, Harrison's casket will be carried by members of the sheriff's office honor team. Officers from District II, where Harrison worked, will assemble in a platoon formation as the casket is placed at graveside. A riderless horse - representing the fallen sergeant - will be escorted by a deputy on foot. A bagpiper will play "Amazing Grace." Then four aviation units - two from the sheriff's office, two from the Tampa Police Department - will do a flyover. One helicopter will peel away, symbolizing the fallen sergeant. Then there will be a rifle salute. The honor team will play taps. A flag will be presented to Gee, who in turn will present it to one of Harrison's daughters. Then a sheriff's deputy will try to radio Harrison, calling out for him three times. After no response, they will declare a 10.7, code for out of service. Finally, doves will be released into the heavens