Wife remembers her law enforcement husband during Peace Officers Memorial
Published 12:40 am Friday, May 19, 2017
A wreath is placed by the fountain at First Presbyterian Church to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury post
Lee Fifield came to the Peace Officers Memorial after losing her husband, a retired law enforcement officer. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Attendees listen as Mark Shue (off camera) plays taps to end the service. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Mark Shue plays taps. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office honor guard fires a 21-gun salute. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The annual Rowan County Peace Officers Memorial Service was held Thursday at First Presbyterian Church. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The Salisbury Police Department Honor Guard retires the Ccolors as the service moves outdoors. Sgt. Corey Brooks, Cpl Neal Brown (foreground), Master Police Officer Chris Schenk, Master Officer Shanita Millsaps and Police Officer Joseph Scrip make up the honor guard. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The Salisbury Police Department honor guard retires the colors. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The Salisbury Police Department Honor Guard retires the colors. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
From left, Barry Dyson, Robin Rogers and Greg Pannell perform a special song at the annual Rowan County Peace Officers Memorial Service. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Lee Fifield was overcome with emotion as she leaned against a column outside First Presbyterian Church on Thursday during the playing of taps at the Rowan County Peace Officers Memorial Service.
The service was held to honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty or after retirement. The tribute made a return after a two-year absence.
Fifield cried tears for her husband of 11 years, John Michael Fifield, who died in January. He served as an Onslow County sheriff’s deputy and later with the Jacksonville Police Department in Onslow County. He also served in the Navy for over 20 years.
The couple moved to Salisbury in late 2016 from Texas. Three months after their move, John died.
“It’s so important when you look at the totality of the circumstances and having a family and having a loss,” she said of the service.
She found out about the program only an hour before it started and told herself she had to attend because of John.
“He would love this service. He would have been so happy,” Lee said with tear-stained cheeks.
Attending the service gave her some comfort, she said.
John Fifield served during the Vietnam War and, like so many others, he didn’t receive a warm welcome home, she said. He was even spat on.
She recalled seeing military pictures or movies in which someone handed a folded flag to a loved one left behind.
“In January at his funeral, a man knelt down and all of a sudden I’m in the picture. I was in this club that nobody wants to be in,” she said.
“He was a good officer — a big ole guy. He really cared about people. He really served the people well,” she said.
The Fifields lived in Colorado and Texas but moved to Salisbury after a suggestion from a friend. He’d been retired from law enforcement for some time, but the two wanted to spend their retirement years together.
They met while Lee was an undercover narcotics officer for the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and they got caught up in a fight. John approached Lee and, without hesitation, she popped him on the nose.
“I backhanded him,” she said with a smile.
Lee has been retired from law enforcement for 22 years.
She would always cringe when John told the story of how they met, but it was amusing to her to share it.
The memorial service coincides with National Police Week, a time set aside each year to honor law enforcement officers and their work in the community.
The most recent line-of-duty death to affect Rowan County residents was that of Forsyth County Sheriff’s Deputy John Thomas Isenhour, who died in September after he was injured in a wreck. Isenhour, who was a Rowan County native, was struck by a car while patrolling during a bike race.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and Salisbury Police Department lost three retired officers this year: James “Jamie” Jones, who died in March; David Lynn Carroll, who died in February; and Albert Stout, who died last May and served with both the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI.
“Services like this are a good reminder to honor those who have sacrificed. It reminds them police have difficult jobs. It takes a lot of bravery to do their job,” said Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes.
He was adamant the service needed to make a return.
“We are trying to recognize officers’ service and, by recognizing their sacrifice, we certainly recognize their service,” Stokes said.
“When officers die in the line of duty, it’s tragic. It’s usually sudden for the family. It lets the family know their service and lives were important,” said Sheriff Kevin Auten.
Auten said every year he’s reminded of the officers who either worked with him or inspired him like Albert Stout, who often stopped by the family’s house to talk with Auten’s father.
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.
