Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I attended Danny's funeral and was moved by the whole event. It was my first police officer funeral. I have attended many more since that day.
I have often thought about him over the years. His life and death inspired me to strive to be the best police officer that I could be. Rest in Peace my brother. Rest in Peace.

Officer John Zeigler
Okeechobee Police Department (Retired)

May 15, 2023

Widow fights for memorial for fallen Fort Pierce police officer

Posted on January 18, 2021
FOX 29 NEWS


This month, Congress approved a measure allowing for the renaming of the Port Salerno post office for Florida

Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Bullock, who was killed last year in the line of duty.

That action has sparked family and friends of another local fallen officer to wonder if their loved one will ever get a similar honor.

Mirtha Busbin said a day doesn't go by when she doesn't think of her late husband, Sgt. Danny Parrish.

"Danny was just an all around down to earth guy, liked to hunt and fish, loved his job," Busbin said.

Monday will mark 30 years since Parrish was killed. The Fort Pierce police officer had stopped an 18-year-old driver for going the wrong way down a one-way street.

As the officer attempted to arrest the teen for having no license, there was a struggle.

The teen got hold of the officers weapon and shot him more than a dozen times.
That suspect, Billy Kearse, remains on death row today.

Det. Greg Kirk spent 33 years with the Fort Pierce Police Department and remembers Parrish fondly.

"We worked on honor guard together, and then I was team leader on SWAT and he wanted to be part of SWAT team," Kirk said.

Kirk and Busbin are trying to get some sort of memorial named for Parrish.

"I feel the ball has been dropped, done what I can, met with the mayor and chief of police and very frustrated nothing's been done," Busbin said.

They claim Parrish is the only law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in St. Lucie County without a memorial.

The Fort Pierce Police Department's substation and main building have been renamed for other officers killed in the line of duty.

Underneath an oak tree around the side of the police station, there is a small headstone in the visitor parking lot with Parrish's picture.

But Busbin sids that was due to the generosity of her neighbors, not the department.

She said she's not asking for a lot.
"Recognition where fellow police officers, brothers and sisters can go by, where you can drop a rose in his honor and say, 'This is for Danny,' because he did a lot for this town," Busbin said.

WPTV has not heard back from the department about any potential future honors for Parrish.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

January 18, 2021

Sgt. Parrish,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Ft. Pierce. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 18, 2021

Rest in peace Sergeant Parrish.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 16, 2019

I went to the academy with Danny, great guy, great cop, still think about him and pray for him and his family.

Lieutenant Timothy A Turner (ret) #157
MPD, IRCSO

January 17, 2019

Rest in peace Sergeant Parrish.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 9, 2019

Danny I think of you everyday. I have a personalized license plate with the letter"D" on it along with Steve Roberts Jimmy Wouters and Grover Coopers their first initials and 911. You are missed and loved everyday but I also know you are in the best hands right now your best friend Capt. Charlie Scavuzzo is with you ...the two of you partners again just wish that you both were here to be your dispatcher again along with so many others to do what you loved to do protecting us and getting the bad guys. Love & miss you my friend .❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Carla Cusanelli (retired)
St. Lucie County 911 Emergency Management Dispatcher/Supervisor

January 5, 2019

Danny. I have not forgotten your friendship and your service during my time at SLSO. Prayers to your family. RIP my friend.

Steve Singer

May 29, 2017

Your name is forever engraved into my badge, and those of your new brothers and sisters. Everyday we patrol the streets of Fort Pierce, you protect and look over us. We carry your name and memory on our chest everyday. We have the watch still, and will never forget the ultimate sacrifice you made for the people of our city. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Fort Pierce Police Department

January 9, 2017

25 years later and we still remember. We will never forget your service to our community and we will never forget your sacrifice.

Retired Sergent, Dennis McWilliams
Fort Pierce Police Department

January 19, 2016

R I P, you have not been forgotten. May final justice prevail.

citizen
Tampa

January 18, 2016

Rest in Peace Sergeant Danny Parrish. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice.

I pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

I also pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw at the flesh of your murderer.

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston,TX

January 18, 2016

Danny, I recently made my first trip to the wall in Washington D.C. after all this time. My soul purpose was to get your name off the wall. You and I started together and attended the academy together LE #42. I was working the night your passing took place and could almost recite the BOLO verbatim. At that time I didn’t know it was you until later in the night. Upon hearing the news it was you, my breath was taken away. All I could think about was justice for you.
I also accompanied you to your final resting place which prompted me to join the honor guard.
I want to take the time to thank you for standing beside me through all the nights I work and being the voice of reason when I not sure what I’m walking into. I will continue to serve with your spirit beside me as I protect those who live within the community I serve. Rest in peace my friend, we will meet again.

Corporal William Jursik
Sebastian Police Department

November 30, 2014

Danny,
I think about you often. I miss you a lot. Now dad is in heaven with you. I bet ya'll are having a ball fishing. Mom and I long for the day when we will see ya'll again. I still remember the time we spent as kids together . We love you! You will never be forgotten. Your senseless death has had a huge impact on the lives of your family and friends. Thank you for your supreme sacrifice. You ran your race well my brother . We are very proud of you.

Rest in peace your job is done,

Tamela Grace Parrish Blanton
sister

June 6, 2014

Sergeant Danny Parrish, I am currently at the National Police Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. and made an impression of your name. You and your senseless and tragic death made a profound impact on me even before my full-time law enforcement career began.

While serving as a Reserve Deputy at the Martin County Sheriff's Office, I was listening to my scanner the night that you got killed. And, while attending police academy at Indian River Community College (#63) in 1993, other recruits and I viewed your uniform while touring the Crime. Laboratory.

Those experiences have remained with me for more than twenty years and serve as a constant reminder of how dangerous our profession can sometimes be.

Rest In Peace, Danny!

Deputy Paul Montgomery
Motor Unit
Dickson County Sheriff's Office
Charlotte, Tennessee

Paul Montgomery - Motor Unit
Dickson County Sheriff's Office

May 14, 2014

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

January 18, 2014

He was a great guy, he was a friend and a good person. He took me hunting and fishing when I was growing. He was like a brother, I had to move to North Carolina with my parents just out of high school. We stayed in contact for a while, and I suddenly lost contact with him. It was a tragic discovery when I was wondering what happened to him over the years. When I discovered his memorial page, I was saddened to discover, why I lost contact with him. I ended up following the same carrier as Danny, and will always try to make him proud. He was my inspiration to become an officer, and I know he is watching over me, Roger B. Humphrey.

UP P02 Roger B. Humphrey
Durham Police

November 23, 2013

Danny,

Thinking about you today. Please show Sergeant Morales the ropes in heaven.

Sergeant Dennis McWilliams
Fort Pierce Police department

March 1, 2013

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you sir are a hero. Continue to rest in peace Sgt Parrish.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

January 18, 2013

Rest in peace brother

Police officer
Gwinnett police (Georgia)

January 5, 2013

I remember this day very well. I got a call from our local blood donor center asking me to come in to donate blood as it was in need. I told them I could come by tomorrow and the lady was like no we need you to come by as soon as possible. I left work early to go give blood. When I found out it was because of this I asked when can I come back to donate more.

I was hoping and praying that all of us who showed up could make a difference, but God needed you more then we did.

You will be missed.....

Janie S

July 26, 2012

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Parrish. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

Rest in Peace my brother, I know you, Jimmy and Coop are doing a great job protecting our angels in heaven. Hard to believe its been 20 years. Was at the department deidication a few days ago for Jimmy and Coop you were well remembered also.

Chief Joe Wirthman, Jefferson Georgia
Captain, retired FPPD

January 27, 2012

Continue to rest in peace Sgt. Parrish, we will never forget the sacrifice that you made for all of us. HEROES live forever,and you sir are a hero...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

January 18, 2012

I grew up in Fort Pierce and graduated (FPWW) the year that you were killed. I can tell you now that even though I did not know you, you and all the other officers and deputies did make a difference in my life under extraordinary circumstances that is Fort Pierce. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Aux. Deputy Shane Olsen
Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office

October 30, 2011