Soldier, Officer Remembered in Gulfport

GULFPORT -- South Mississippi is remembering two men who dedicated their lives to protecting their community and country.

This evening, visitation will be held for U. S. Army Staff Sgt. Johnny Polk; a candlelight vigil is planned for Gulfport police Lt. Robert Curry. Polk died July 25 from injuries received on duty in Iraq; Curry died Aug. 14 last year in a motorcycle-car accident.

Read media accounts of events:

Gulfport honors its fallen police officer one year after his death

www.wlox.com Aug. 14, 2009

Family and Friends Pay Their Respect to U.S. Army Seargeant Johnny Polk

www.wlox.com Aug. 14, 2009 (video subject to time availability)

Fallen soldier returned to Gulfport for final farewell

www.wlox.com Aug. 13, 2009

On Saturday, funeral services will be held for Sgt. Polk with burial at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Officer Curry Added to National Memorial

GULFPORT -- Police Lt. Robert James Curry had his name added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., on May 13.

He is among 387 officers in the nation and among 199 from Mississippi who died in the line of duty to be added to the memorial. 

Curry, 39, died Aug. 14, 2008, when a vehicle struck his motorcycle as he helped escort a funeral procession on U.S. 49 in Gulfport.