Fallen Lieutenant Reminder Of Best In Law Enforcement: Sheriff

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The Pasco County Sheriff's Office found a unique way to honor a fallen comrade during the coronavirus pandemic.

Forgoing the traditional memorial ceremony, Pasco Sheriff's Charities sponsored a banner message to fly over Lt. Charles "Bo" Harrison's former district in Trilby, Dade City and Lacoochee on Monday, the 17th anniversary of his death.

The banner not only served as a reminder of Harrison's sacrifice but as a tribute to how one law enforcement officer broke through racial barriers and earned universal respect in his community.

Harrison's example is especially poignant as the country protests the death of a black man at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer, said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

"Stereotypes create division, but a positive attitude can calm a storm ... There are bad actors in every profession, and we will not be defined by the bad ones in ours. Instead, we will continue to overcome those negative perceptions of law enforcement and continue to represent the good in our community just like Bo, with a message of unity and respect," said Nocco.

The popular sheriff's lieutenant was shot and killed while on surveillance near a nightclub on U.S. 301 in Lacoochee at about 2 a.m. June 1, 2003.

Several deputies who were across the street heard the gunshot and went to investigate. They found Harrison in his patrol car. He'd been shot by a sniper using a high-powered from some nearby woods. The shot went through the trunk of the sheriff's car and struck Harrison in the back.

A 19-year-old man turned himself in two days later and was charged with Harrison's murder. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no parole.

Harrison had served the Pasco County Sheriff's Office for 31 years, and was only 15 days away from retirement when he was killed.

An Army veteran of the Vietnam War, Harrison was an active member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Dade City where he sang in the choir. The sheriff's office posted a video of the plane flying over Harrison's church Monday with the remembrance message trailing behind it.

Nocco said Harrison was a man who could "put a smile on someone else's face, turn a potentially negative situation into a positive and make a stranger feel like they have known him forever."

"It is sad that, because of social distancing requirements, we have to remember his life differently than we have in the past," said Nocco, adding, "I do not believe it is irony that we remember his life after a week that has caused hurt to so many people across our nation."

He said Harrison's life is a reminder that people are not defined by the uniforms they wear, the positions they hold or their titles.

"Instead, our lives are defined by how we treat others, how we uphold the Golden Rule to treat others as you would want to be treated, and how much of a positive impact we make in the world," said Nocco.