"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Florida officers Ray Shinholser, Kimberly Hurd and Alex Del Rio

A moving ceremony each year in Florida honors the state's fallen law enforcement heroes

Charles "Ray" Shinholser Jr.

McLean, VA (October 8, 2024) - Every year in May, hundreds of officers, survivors of the fallen and citizen supporters gather in Tallahassee, Florida, to honor and remember those across the state who have died in law enforcement service. In 2010, then National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Chairman and CEO Craig Floyd spoke at that memorial service. He told the stories of several Florida officers who had left an impression on him and many others. One of them, Charles “Ray” Shinholser Jr., a sergeant with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, wrote a song, “When’s Daddy Coming Home?” as a tribute to a fallen colleague. His intention was to sell tapes of the song and raise money to build the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which would soon be built in Washington, D.C. Sadly, the day after he finished recording the song, Ray died in the line of duty in a motorcycle crash on December 13, 1988. His family and friends went on to sell 10,000 of the tapes to help build the monument that would bear Ray Shinholser’s name. And Ray’s father, Charles, would later become a leader for C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), carrying on Ray’s devotion to helping others in need.

Listen to the full Podcast HERE