Forsyth County holds annual service to honor fallen officers

Forsyth County held its annual Law Enforcement Memorial service on Monday to honor the lives and legacies of fallen officers.

Families and friends gathered at Pinedale Christian Church to remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The annual event is a collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Forsyth County. It comes before National Police Week, which starts this Sunday.

Chaplain Jeff Vogler is with the county's chaplain response team, which provides support to first responders and their families. He says the fallen officers gave their best and ultimately their all despite the dangers they faced daily.

"They put their holsters on and they went to work every day because they felt like their mission was worth it, their calling was worth it," Vogler said. "Today we label them as heroes because of their faith, because of their work and because of what they did."

Officials read the names of 28 officers from across the area. The most recent name added to the list in Forsyth County was Deputy Sheriff Auston Smith Reudelhuber, who was killed in 2023.