CASSOPOLIS — Those who knew Cass County Deputy Shane Britton remember him as many things: a family man, a man of God, a man who lived his life to his fullest. But more than anything, Britton is remembered as a man who was proud to serve his community.

“He was a genuine man,” recalled Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke. “He was an instant friend. He instantly got in with people, and he was a great loss. He had a very bright future.”

Thursday, 19 years after his death, the Cass County community remembered Britton during National Police Week.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Service to honor officers that have been killed in the line of duty both locally and nationwide. The event was attended by local law enforcement, community members and members of Britton’s family.

Last year, 156 police officers and 14 corrections officers were killed in the line of duty in the U.S. Over the last 10 years, 1,600 officers have been killed while performing their job duties nationwide. According to Behnke, the ceremony is an important reminder of the sacrifices that police officers have made in the name of keeping their communities safe.

“All officers do a duty to the community, and they truly lay down their lives every day, and some pay the ultimate sacrifice,” Behnke said. “It’s important that we make sure they are not forgotten.”

During each year’s ceremony, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office remembers the only deputy in the county to be killed in the line of duty: Britton, who died July 19, 2000. Britton, of Marcellus, died after losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a tree on M-62 in Jefferson Township while responding to a call from the Ontwa Township Police Department. Britton had served with the department for more than a year prior to the crash.

Britton’s son, Luke Britton, was in attendance at Thursday’s ceremony. Inspired by his father’s work, Luke is now an officer with the Dowagiac Police Department. He has been with the Dowagiac since October 2018.

“I felt like this was the best way that I could help people,” Luke said. “I want to be the person to be there to help people in their time of need.”

As both the son of a fallen deputy and a law enforcement officer himself, Luke said that he appreciates the annual memorial service as it pays tribute to officers who have sacrificed their lives to protect others.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to come to [the ceremony] each year — especially this year now that I am an officer myself,” he said. “[Law enforcement] can be dangerous, and officers do the best they can every day to protect and serve the community at large.”

Seeing Britton’s family at the ceremony, Behnke said he was glad that the annual event was able to show them that Britton has not, and will never be, forgotten. During National Police Week, Behnke encouraged the community to remember Britton and the sacrifice that many police officers make to do their jobs.

“Remember your law enforcement officers. They do a great service to the community,” he said. “They are rewarded each day because they are truly passionate about what they do. Remember that a majority are all good people who do good in their community, and they deserve this recognition.”