MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department honored several of its men and women in blue on Monday.
Sixty individuals were promoted to lieutenant and 103 to sergeant at a promotions ceremony at Hope Church.
“There’ve been a lot of sleepless nights, lots of hard work, birthdays missed, games missed, but this hard work has finally paid off for 163 of Memphis’ finest that are sitting before us today,” said Louis Brownlee, the Public Information Officer for the department.
Officer Verdell Smith, who was killed in the line of duty last month, was also promoted to Sergeant posthumously.
His family was on hand to accept the new badge along with several items strangers across the country sent to the department after their loved one was killed including books, letters, and a law enforcement medal of honor.