The thoroughfare encompassing the Clayton County Justice Center and the Sheriff’s Department is now more than an access road to these facilities, it is lasting symbol of dedication and reverence to Clayton County’s last sheriff deputy killed in the line of duty.

One year ago last Friday, Clayton County Deputy Rick Daly was killed as he instituted a traffic stop on an individual who was wanted for bank robbery. As Daly approached the vehicle, the driver, who is now awaiting sentencing, shot Daly several times.

Last Friday, the access road was officially renamed the Rick Daly Memorial Boulevard as more than 100 Clayton County Public Safety personnel, including Sheriff Kem Kimbrough, Sr., Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services Chief Jeff Hood, District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson as well as Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell and Commissioner Michael Edmondson, joined many county officials and members of the Daly family in the official dedication of the roadway’s new name.

During the dedication ceremony, Kimbrough said he and members of the Daly family had seen the late deputy’s name engraved in stone at the memorial to fallen law enforcement officers in Washington and in Georgia “and we wanted to make sure Clayton County had its own fitting memorial and tribute to Rick.”

Kimbrough said Clayton County is blessed not to have an abundance of names of public safety personnel killed in the line of duty. “However, we have had enough, and it only takes one fallen law enforcement officer or deputy to exemplify the need for our remembrance of them,” he said.

Kimbrough added the Rick Daly Memorial Boulevard is a “fitting memorial, as we all need to remember not only the men and women who have taken an oath to protect the public and uphold the law, but their families, which also sacrifice,”

“Rick’s brothers and sisters in law enforcement, and all Clayton residents who ride on this boulevard each day, will remember Rick as a true hero, who helped make this country the best it can be,” the sheriff added.

In addressing the ceremony, Bell referenced a scripture verse printed on the dedication program, Proverbs 22:1, which reads, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

“The more than 100 people here with you at this place of remembrance and honor for Rick Daly are joined by the people of Clayton County in remembering your sacrifice,” Bell told the Daly family as he called for a moment of silence in honor of Daly.

“I want you, members of Rick‘s family, to know that not only are Rick’s brothers and sisters in law enforcement here with you today but so are their families and every grateful Clayton County resident,” he said.