- December 3, 2024
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The Ormond Beach Police Department holds their candles in the air in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Ray Llanes lights a candle in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Capt. DW Smith lights a candle in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Lt. Tom Larsen lights a candle in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Capt. Chris Roos lights a candle in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Sgt. Josh DeLong lights a candle in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey speaks during a candlelight memorial for the late Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Chaplain Dave Cates, Ormond Beach Police Cpl. Chart Pliapol, Sgt. Josh DeLong, former Victim's Advocate Evelyn Rebostini and OBPD Victim's Advocate Courtney Fraine. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey speaks in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa, a memorial attended by the late police officer's family, on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Ray Llanes attends a candlelight memorial for the late Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Chaplain Dave Cates delivers a prayer in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Officer Tristan Ogle holds a candle in memory of Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach Police Department laid out a memorial for the late Cpl. Michael Bakaysa on Monday, Dec. 2. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach Police Department honored the late Cpl. Michael Bakaysa with stories and a candlelight memorial.
On Monday, Dec. 2, officers gathered at the station to remember the 54-year-old Bakaysa, who died on Dec. 1, 2023, after suffering a medical incident following a training session. He had worked for the department for over 27 years, and OBPD promoted him to corporal posthumously.
"One day and one year ago, we lost more than an officer," Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said. "We lost a protector, a friend, a father and a dedicated servant who answered the call of duty with courage and compassion. Cpl. Bakaysa just didn't wear the badge, he embodied its meaning: Justice, integrity and commitment to serving others."
Capt. DW Smith met Bakaysa in 1996 when they were both working as community service officers. He shared stories of wrangling animals together, including an egret that once caused a gridlock of traffic on the Granada bridge.
Smith, who gave Bakaysa his rookie cop nickname — Chewie, a tribute to his love of Star Wars — said he's thought of Bakaysa a lot this year, especially on holidays, as they often used to work them together.
"This time last year, obviously wasn't easy for any of us," Smith said. "We went through a really tough time together. ... We're always here for you, no matter what."
Officers shared stories of working nights with Bakaysa, going to Walgreens and Walmart to look at new action figures and sharing Cuban cigars.
"There's not a day in my life that I don't think about him," Sgt. Ray Llanes said. "I was lucky to be his friend, be able to be somebody who worked alongside him."
The department, Godfrey told Bakaysa's family at the memorial, will never forget his sacrifice.
"To the colleagues and fellow officers who served alongside Cpl. Bakaysa, or who were trained by him — which are many in this room — your courage mirrors his legacy," Godfrey said.
