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Although Sept. 11 marks the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the nation with special tributes to the emergency personnel who died in New York City and elsewhere, Franklin County honored six who locally made the ultimate sacrifice during a special gathering on Sept. 28 at Winchester City Hall.

Ryan Fuller, a Winchester police investigator who organized the event, said a decision was made last year to move the tribute toward the end of September to have a separate event that more directly honors Franklin County’s lost heroes.

Franklin County has had four law enforcement officers and two firefighters fall in the line of duty.

They include:

— Police Officer John E. Penny, Decherd Police Department, served 1942-1944.

— Sgt. Daniel Smith, Winchester Police Department, served 1974-1996.

— Investigator Michael K. Buckner, Decherd Police Department, served 1998-2005.

— Investigator Charles Jerry Crabtree, served 1957-2010.

— Firefighter Lt. Wilbur Pinnell, Winchester Fire Department, served 1974-1995.

— Firefighter/EMT Tracy D. Floyd, Winchester Fire Department, served 1993-1997.

Ryan Fuller explained the rationale behind the date change.

“We made the change away from Sept. 11 more towards the end of September because we wanted the event to be more focused on our local heroes who had given their lives here on Franklin County,” he said. “ Originally when the event had started in 1996, it was held on Police Week in May, but after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the decision was made to move it to around Sept. 11, and that’s where the event was held until last year.

“Fortunately, there has not been a name added to the memorial since Jerry Crabtree was added in 2011.”

The event featured Wilson County Deputy David Stolinsky, law enforcement liaison for the Middle and East Tennessee Concerns of Police Survivors, as the keynote speaker.

Stolinsky and Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller have developed a strong friendship through their affiliation together with law enforcement, and Sheriff Fuller said Stolinsky’s position with the Police Survivors organization made him an ideal candidate to be the keynote speaker.

“What he has done for the fallen is astounding,” Sheriff Fuller said, referring to Stolinsky’s continued effort to make sure those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will always be remembered.

Sheriff Fuller then addressed the audience directly.

“Listen to what he has to say,” he said, referring to Stolinsky. “He is a true hero to all of us.”

Stolinsky referred to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and why paying tribute to the fallen emergency personnel there, as well as those who have died on local homefronts, is so important.

“This service today is a true testament to never forgetting the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Franklin County,” Stolinsky said.

He said that although Franklin County is 879 miles from the World Trade Center, it has honored the 343 firefighters and the 72 New York and Port Authority police department officers who perished in the World Trade Center and those who pass away daily from cancer and other illnesses stemming from the incident.

Stolinsky said it is paramount to extend that gratitude to all who have sacrificed so much.

“Being in law enforcement since 1992 and having watched the way things have changed over the years, the one constant is the way we honor our fallen and keep our word that we will never forget,” he said.

Stolinsky said Wilson County recently held a 20^th anniversary memorial for Deputy John Musice of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Jerry Mundy of the Mount Juliet Police Department who had died in the line of duty.

“We stood by the families in remembrance, shared their tears and memories, reminding them we will always be there,” he said.

Family members of those who died in the line of duty in Franklin County said the tribute to their lost loved ones is extremely meaningful.

Betty Pinnell, widow of Wilbur Pinnell, provided her assessment.

“It means the world to me because he died in the line of duty,” she said.

Jacob Floyd, son of Tracy Floyd, echoed Ms. Pinnell.

“It’s great to see my dad honored today,” he said. “To see the community support for those who have given their lives is amazing. I’m glad they’ve done this all these years.”

Dianna Gober and Lisa Henley, daughters of Daniel Smith, expressed their appreciation for the tribute.

“It means a lot because it shows they remember them and what they’ve done,” Gober said, referring to the recognition her father and the other Franklin County heroes received.

She said they died protecting residents, and it’s great that the event was held to remember them for the heroes that they were.

Henley concurred.

“It’s a reminder of what they do for us every day,” she said, explaining how her father and other emergency personnel routinely put their lives on the line to protect the public as a daily course of action.

New Winchester Mayor Sean Crabtree welcomed the audience then explained why honoring fallen emergency personnel is so important.

“We stand here together, united by a common purpose — to pay tribute to these selfless individuals who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting our communities,” he said. “We must remember that behind every uniform or badge, there exists a person with dreams, aspirations, loved ones and a community to serve.

“These heroes chose to make a difference in the lives of others, serving as the embodiment of courage, compassion and resilience.”

Crabtree said the memorial to fallen emergency personnel “serves as a constant reminder of the risks our police officers and firefighters face each and every day.

“It reminds us of their unwavering devotion to our safety and welfare. It reminds us never to take their service for granted, but instead to express our gratitude and support to those still serving, as well as to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Crabtree encouraged those in the audience to hold a sacred space in their hearts and minds for the fallen heroes and their families.

“May their legacy inspire us to be a community that supports and protects those who put their lives on the line for our wellbeing every day,” he said. “Together, let us honor their memory and strive to build a safer, more compassionate world that they would be proud of.

“Thank you all for joining this poignant gathering, and may the memory of our fallen heroes be forever etched in our hearts.”