NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) – On Monday night News Channel 8 talked with two brave and kindhearted members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard unit. For Lt. Jason Marques and Deputy Justin Romano, their love for service comes from the deepest parts of their souls.
This is not a career, not a job, not a position to be filled. For these two men, this is a calling.
These law enforcement officers, along with 22 other members of the Pasco Honor Guard, perform their duty with heart – all heart. They have seen the rawest emotion and the most gut-wrenching moments. This Honor Guard has seen it up-close and personal in recent days as members have attended the funerals of fallen officers across the country, including in Dallas, Baton Rouge and Berrien County, Michigan.
“The emotion you feel, you’re proud to be there. But you’re watching the room fall apart,” Deputy Romano said.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the current climate is one of global chaos and mass shootings, putting law enforcement officers on high alert.
The sheriff recently beefed up the 911 call center in his county by assigning 10 crime analysts to work behind the scenes.
“Our law enforcement officers have become targets,” Nocco said.
He was so moved by what he was seeing in grieving cities around America and the world, he decided to send support across the miles. He wanted to let other cities know Pasco County is praying for those who are hurting.
Lt. Marques and Deputy Romano have lent their shoulders recently, as they witnessed four of their fellow fallen officers being laid to rest in Dallas.
“To see the family, to be with the family at the end, that’s what they remember. That’s the last time they see their family member, that their loved one, and it’s with us,” officials said.
Lt. Marques was in awe of the love and kindness he saw in Dallas. “They waved at us everywhere we went. They hugged us. They thanked us. We were so proud to be there. We have a wonderful sheriff who wants us to be there to support others,” he said.
“In a sea of blue, we stand out with our white uniforms. When people come up to us and thank us, they always ask us where we are from. When we answer, ‘Pasco County,’ they smile and ask, ‘Where is that?'” Lt. Marques said. “They often tell us they have family members in cities nearby, places like Spring Hill. We are all connected. We want to be there for those families.”
The sorrow hit extremely close to home for when the Pasco Honor Guard traveled to Michigan to support one of their colleagues. Corporal David Hatifeld lost his father-in-law, a bailiff who was gunned down in a courthouse in Berrien County.
“It’s not just to support our brothers and sisters that have gone but to support those that they’ve left behind, as well,” Deputy Romano said.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has recently endeavored to create a fallen officer memorial for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. There is a current fundraising effort going on.
Dade City will be the site to build the memorial to honor fallen officers. “We are here to help,” Deputy Romano said, his eyes welling with tears. “We are here to help you get home safely. We just want the same in return. We just want to get home safely.”
