CRESTON - Late Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy Luke Mallon was remembered at a public Celebration of Life at the local school gym attended by many Friday, Sept. 22.
Mallon died at age 40 at his rural Creston home Saturday, Sept. 2. He had been with the Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Deputies and administration from the Sheriff's Office led Mallon's family into the gym to begin the memorial proceedings. Chaplain Pat Hogan offered an introduction before sharing Scriptures and an opening prayer, asking God for comfort for attendees, family members and the Sheriff's Office.
Park Ranger Law Enforcement Commander Bill Overby was next to speak. Overby was Mallon's first commander with the National Park Service, where Mallon worked prior to his Lincoln County stop.
"Mr. and Mrs. Mallon made my job a simple one," Overby said. "All of us here will miss Luke greatly."
Mallon's best friend and current U.S. Border Patrol agent Sean Davis offered the eulogy.
"Luke knew how to bring a crowd together, and his ingredient to do that was love," Davis said. "He always took the high road and did what was right."
Davis said Mallon loved to travel, as evidenced by the fact that he visited all 50 U.S. states in addition to several international stops. He also quipped about Mallon's love of financial advisor Dave Ramsey.
"Luke's top priorities may have been faith, family, friends and Dave Ramsey," Davis said.
Davis then spoke directly to Mallon's family, including wife Rachelle, daughters Renlee and Rayla and parents Mike and Chris, and Mallon himself.
"This isn't goodbye, Luke, because for friends like us, we don't say goodbye. We say, 'see you later,'" Davis said. "Your legacy will live on and your girls will thrive."
After a slideshow showing photos throughout Mallon's 40 years played, Davis and other law enforcement offered memorial flags and plaques to the Mallon family.
The Sheriff's Office administration and deputies then took the stage. Undersheriff Jesse Allen asked each deputy to identify themselves by their call number, then asked for other law enforcement and public safety agencies in attendance to stand up when called.
Agencies attended from around the country.
Officers and workers from Odessa Police, Reardan Police, National Park Service, Airway Heights Police, Stevens County Sheriff's Office, Cowlitz County Fire and Rescue, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Bridgewater (New Jersey) Police, Skagit County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Border Patrol, Wenatchee Valley Fire, Seattle Police, Spokane Police, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Lincoln Fire and EMS, Wilbur Fire, Montana Highway Patrol and Liberty Lake Police were all present.
After identification, an End of Watch Call was played from Lincoln County dispatch for Mallon to conclude the service.
"Having heard no response from Deputy Luke Mallon, we know that Luke Mallon has responded to his last call on Earth," the call read. "Deputy Mallon has served with the National Park Service and Sheriff's Office for over 11 years. We appreciate Luke's service and dedication as well as his family's sacrifices during the time of Luke's service."
"Deputy Mallon has now become a guardian who will watch out for all law enforcement and emergency responders. Deputy Lucas Buck Mallon has completed his tour as a deputy sheriff in this life. Be safe, my friend, until we meet again."
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