DECATUR- Thomasville resident Sheila Massey Tucker and her brother Paul Massey were recently contacted about attending the Georgia Department of Public Safety Dedication Ceremony and the Dedication of the Memorial Wall in Decatur, Ga. on June 27, 2023 at the new Georgia Dept. of Public Safety headquarters. The Dedication would honor their late father Roy Massey.

Shelia was able to attend and recounted the events of the day. As she arrived, she observed many Georgia State Patrol cars, State Troopers, and other law enforcement officers. This brought up memories of her childhood, when her and Paul’s father was still alive. While growing up as a child, she was always around State Troopers. They were a “family”.

When Trooper Roy Massey died he was 43 years old. His wife, Opal Tillman Massey was 33. Sheila Massey Tucker was 13. Paul Massey was four. August 16, 1961, changed their family forever. His wife never remarried.

Roy Cecil Massey served in World War II as a Sergeant in the Military Police, with the 31st Infantry Division, United States Army. When he returned home, he became a certified master plumber. However, he knew that was not his calling. He became a Thomasville Policeman, then later applied for Georgia State Trooper School. He was accepted in the 11th Trooper School for training. When he graduated, he received Badge #115. Sheila said her mother told her and her brother, “He would have worked for nothing, as long as he could be a State Trooper. He always had the love and instinct to want to protect others.”

There were special guests at the Dedication which included: Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp, members of the Board of Public Safety, Georgia Department of Public Safety Command Staff, State Building Authority, and Georgia’s House of Representatives. A special VIP section was provided for the families of the 27 law officers and one K-9 that died in the line of duty and were being remembered on this special occasion.

Colonel Christopher C. Wright is the new Commissioner for Department of Public Safety. He presided over the event. There was a flag raising ceremony at the beginning. The United States flag had flown over the U.S. Capitol on June 3, 2023. The Georgia Flag had flown over the Georgia State Capitol on June 3, 2023 as well.

Colonel Wright introduced the speaker, Governor Brian P. Kemp. Kemp gave praise for the hard work and dedication everyone involved had done. Kemp stated, “For over 85 years, the men and women of DPS (Georgia Department of Public Safety) have served the people of our state with distinction, playing a vital part in keeping all Georgians safe.”

The Dedication of the Memorial Wall was given by Deputy Commissioner Lt. Colonel William W. Hitchens,III. There was a “moment of silence” while an aviation flyover took place. The ribbon cutting took place and guided tours of the building were given.

The new building includes four levels. The first level includes a museum, auditorium, communication room, incident briefing room, training room, and other areas of interest. The second level includes human resources, planning and research, and a technology division. The third level includes a fitness center, locker rooms, Motor Carrier Compliance Division, and residences. The fourth level includes the command suite, finance division, legal division, and legal division open records.

Sheila said, “In front of the new building is a beautiful statue of a Trooper who was killed in the Line of Duty, as well as a K-9. They are looking toward the Memorial Wall as to be protecting it.”

According to Georgia Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Courtney Floyd, this statue represents the first Trooper and K-9 lost in the line of duty, Fred Black and Figo.

Seeing the Memorial Wall was an emotional time for Sheila.

”It was bitter-sweet to me,” said Sheila. “I was so proud of my Daddy and all of the other law officers listed in the stones circling the Memorial Wall. But, it meant they were all taken from their families unexpectedly. I did cry when I saw Daddy’s Memorial. It had his picture in his uniform with information about his death and his EoW (End of Watch). When your family is a law officer, you become a part of that family as well. One of the state troopers nearby saw me and came over and just held me as I cried. Afterward, he said some of the kindest words I have ever received about daddy’s death. At that moment, I finally had come to peace with my daddy dying, after all of those 62 years of him being gone. I am so thankful I was able to attend this wonderful occasion of remembrance and dedication.”

Floyd was glad Sheila was able to attend and get the closure she so deserved. Floyd said her hope is that Georgia Department of Public Safety never has to add another name to the list.