

“Most agencies in Washington County participated, and we even had help from outside the county.I cannot say enough good things about Spilsbury Mortuary. “I owe a huge thank you to the agencies and the officers who helped make this happen,” Whitehead said. Whitehead said that organizing an honor watch is no small task. I also want to honor his commitment to serving our community and being willing to risk his life to help others.” I’m here because I want to pay my respects to Adam and his family. “There are only a few professions where that’s the case. “And that includes risking your life,” Linton said. Of the bond shared by officers around the world, Linton said that they were each willing to do anything to help for anybody at anytime. Linton said that he felt honored to be part of the watch. “That doesn’t really do him justice,” Gracia added.

Gracia paused there, trying to find the words to describe his friend. But his decision-making was never in question.” “He was quiet, so you couldn’t always tell what he was thinking. “Adam joined the department a few months before I did,” he said.

George News that more than just a colleague, he was a friend of Ashworth’s. The officers who’ve served on this watch are wonderful.” “We haven’t had to worry about security since July 22.
Serenity mortuary st george utah cracked#
“But this one hit close to home.”Īfter wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief, he smiled and cracked a joke he’d been making all morning. Funeral counselor and Serenity Funeral Home co-owner Duane Lamoreaux, St. Lamoreaux’s eyes teared up as he described the relationships between his colleagues and the Ashworth family. And especially when we know the deceased.” “We’re very fussy about each detail,” Lamoreaux told St. Duane Lamoreaux, funeral counselor and co-owner of Serenity Funeral Home, said goodbye to one set of officers before greeting the next. “Now we’re looking after him until he’s laid to rest.”Īt 8 a.m., Ence and Bithell were relieved by officers Steve Linton and Rudy Gracia. “He looked after us when he was alive,” Ence said. George Newsīithell said that no officer knows when their proverbial time will come, “but it’s comforting to know that, when we do, we’ll receive the same kind of support.”Įnce said a certain kind of bond exists among emergency responders. We’re asking ourselves if there are changes we’d like to make and what we need to do to live the lives we envisioned for ourselves.” Adam Ashworth’s casket at Serenity Funeral Home, St. We’re also reflecting upon our own lives, our own mortality. “We reflect upon Adam’s life, upon his service. “I think we all do a lot of reflecting,” Ence said. While standing watch, many thoughts flow through the officers’ minds. It’s silent for much of the time, save for the sounds of a fountain bubbling in the lobby. The mood in the room – a large, open space lined with chairs around the perimeter – was somber. The officers, who volunteer their time around regular shifts, stand watch for four hours at a time. I’ve been comforted and impressed by the way the community and the department have rallied around the Ashworth family.” “It also gives us an opportunity to show our last respects in a more meaningful way. “It’s an honor to serve him,” said Bithell, who’s been with the St. George Police Department for more than 16 years, joined Ashworth’s honor watch Tuesday morning at 4 a.m. It also gives us time to slow down and reflect upon our own lives.”Įnce, who’s been with the St. “The honor watch gives us time to reflect upon our fallen brother’s life, career and service. “As law enforcement officers, we spend our lives helping and protecting our communities,” she said. George News that she agreed with Whitehead’s sentiments. “It’s important that we mourn our fallen brother, but we also want to commemorate his career and life.” “It’s a small token of our ability to offer support to Officer Ashworth’s family,” Whitehead said. George News it’s also about celebrating the life of the deceased. George Police Chief Kyle Whitehead told St. The honor watch is meant to facilitate a community-wide mourning process, but St. Since then, there have been two officers dressed in their Class A uniforms, standing vigil, watching over Ashworth 24 hours a day for seven days a week. George NewsĪshworth’s casket has been on view since July 22, when the 39-year-old officer died unexpectedly. Sg.t Choli Ence at Serenity Funeral Home, St. GEORGE - Police officers from around Washington County recently joined an honor watch at Serenity Funeral Home to mourn the death of St.
