Twenty-one months after a 21-year-old deputy’s death, a bronze statue of him now stands outside the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the place where he grew up wanting to work.
“This is a remarkable piece of work and art,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.
To Sheriff Judd, the bronze statue captures a young man’s personality: his infectious smile, his precise haircut and even the unique way he stood.
“Look at the actual type of watch that he wore,” he said.
The statue of Deputy Blane Lane now stands alongside other Polk County deputies and officials who were killed in the line of duty.
“We have this memorial set so no one can come into our building to do business without seeing those that paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Judd.
Deputy Lane, at just age 21, was fatally shot while making a felony arrest in October 2022.
This week, Sheriff Judd, surrounded by Lane’s family, unveiled his bronze statue and inscription outside the sheriff’s office.
“We pledge to always remember his sacrifice,” said Polk County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Steve Lester during the unveiling ceremony.
Lane’s mother, Shellie Lane attended the ceremony.
“A day doesn’t go by without me missing or thinking about him. I would give anything to bring him back,” she said in a statement.
Sheriff Judd remembers Lane as a class act.
Deputy Lane wanted to someday follow in Judd’s footsteps and become sheriff.
“I would love to have helped him get to his dream but he died protecting us and keeping us safe,” said Sheriff Judd. “Polk County suffered a great loss when Deputy Lane died in the line of duty.”
Lane, a young father and enthusiastic deputy, will stand tall and be remembered for years to come, outside the office he dreamed of one day leading.
Sheriff Judd said he has plans for more memorials that will honor every deputy killed in the line of duty in Polk County, a process that could take several years.