Two members of the Haines City Police Department spent National Police Week in Washington D.C. to accompany and provide comfort to the family of late Officer Jorge Gil.

Sgt. Nick Dublino and Corporal Ray Weber made the trip as Officer Gil was among 371 law enforcement officers this year to have their names and pictures placed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Officer Gil was a U.S. Army veteran who worked with the Florida Department of Corrections before spending four years with the Haines City Police Department.

National Police Week is an annual week of events, including the Candlelight Vigil, in the nation’s capital that takes place in conjunction with Peace Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day was designated as May 15 by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Gil died on Feb. 29, 2016 from complications from a stroke suffered on duty nearly two weeks prior. Gil was 41 years old, leaving behind three sons and his wife, Stacey. Gil was part of the patrol division and a member of the Police Department’s crisis prevention team. 

During a double-homicide inside the Chanler Ridge subdivision in January 2015, Gil took swift action as Michael Gordon drove through a garage toward police officers. Gil fired at the vehicle, ultimately bringing it to a stop and allowing officers to arrest Gordon.

Gil joins Officers Christopher Horner and Phoenix Braithwaite as members of the Haines City Police Department to be memorialized in Washington D.C.