Latest news with #IrvinClark
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Heavy hearts and immense gratitude: PCPD hosts annual memorial service
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On Thursday morning, the Panama City Police Department gathered in a solemn but spirited event. A memorial service was held to honor officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. 'It's one of those traditions we never need to let die. It is something that we need to remember throughout history, these officers that have fallen in the line of duty, you know, gave their life to protect others. And they deserve that. They deserve the ability to know that their names will live on in history,' Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith said. The names of fallen officers in Florida were followed by the ringing of the bell. 'We ring the bell. And it is just an attention to the angels above.' Keynote speakers reflected on the 147 officers who died in the line of duty in this country in 2024, a shocking 25% increase from the year 2023. Dr. Irvin Clark moved those in attendance with an empowering speech. 'You stand between safety and chaos. You stand between peace and anarchy. You are the reason we can go to bed at night. confident that trained and dedicated armed forces officers are patrolling our streets while we sleep,' Keynote speaker Dr. Irvin Clark said. 'As you know, he preached up there of standing in the gap between, you know, peace and chaos. And it is so important that the officers realize the need that they fulfill. And, you know, a lot of these officers have participated in this year after year after year, for a lot of these officers it's the first time they've seen such a solemn event,' Smith said. Chief Smith says he's grateful for the turnout at Thursday's service. It's an event he's participated in for 44 years. Every year, the event precedes Law Enforcement Appreciation Week. That will be next Monday through Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
FSU PC officials offer counseling as community grieves after deadly shooting
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida State University Community continues to mourn Thursday's deadly shooting in Tallahassee. On Friday, FSU Panama City's campus attempted to return to normal while providing support to its students. Thursday evening, students hosted a candlelight gathering in solidarity with their fellow Seminoles. FSU PC classes continued as scheduled on Friday, with in-house counselors speaking with students. Officials want students to know there are mental health resources available. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced flags flown at half-staff for FSU victims 'Immediately, immediately, when we heard the news, we sent the message out to our students, not only to our students, but to our faculty and staff, because people know a lot of people in Tallahassee, but specifically for our students. But we do have our own in-house mental health counselor, specialist,' FSU PC Associate Dean Irvin Clark said. 'Our priority is the safety and well-being of our students, our FSU family. So having those services available is a critical part of processing and of healing from what's gone on. You look at these things happening nationwide, but when it hits in your backyard, I think students are feeling a sense of grief, a sense that it's really close to home,' FSU PC Director of Student Affairs Tim Kessler-Cleary said. FSU PC is also in the process of hiring a second mental health counselor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FSU Panama City students host a candlelight gathering in solidarity with fellow Seminoles
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – 'We are one Florida State University. We are just different locations, but we're all Seminoles. And when one of us hurts, all of us hurt,' FSU Panama City Associate Dean Irvin Clark said. FSU Panama City united in the face of tragedy on Thursday. Hours after the shooting at the FSU Tallahassee campus, students at the Panama City location organized a candlelight gathering to show their support for their fellow Seminoles. Event organizers say they wanted to provide the FSU community with an open forum to connect with one another and share their concerns. 'I think a lot of people are worried. Concerned like 'that could have been me' type of mindset. I think a lot of things that we try to push as FSU people are just that we are a family, we're a community. We'll stick together no matter what,' event organizer Bryanna Morgan said. Bill introduced to rename stretch of Highway 90 after fallen WCSO deputy FSU PC is providing counselors during this time, and other staff and campus police officers offered their support to students. Officials say they weren't surprised their students stepped up to organize the event. 'It shows that they're human and that they seek out answers from a higher authority. And that's where my lord and savior, and so it's magical stuff. Is stuff that you can't teach in the classroom is something that you're born with,' Clark said. Administrators postponed a block party carnival event that was supposed to take place Thursday night. FSU PC classes will continue as scheduled on Friday. FSU PC was on a soft lockdown Thursday afternoon, but officials quickly determined the campus was safe. 12 FSU PC students were on the Tallahassee campus during the shooting, but they are all safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
