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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: September 30, 2021  Amends - GO 17.1.6 ( October 31, 2020 ) Number: 17.1.6 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October Reviewing Authority: Honor Guard Commander Subject: Hono r Guard This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to confirm the agency is professionally represented at funerals and ceremonies. 2. Policy It shall be the policy of the agency to maintain an Honor Guard Unit to represent the Sheriff at approved functions. 3. Definitions A. Active Member Entitled to Funerals and Ceremonies - sworn or non -sworn personnel presently employed by the Sheriff’s Office. B. Assistant Honor Guard Commander – the senior ranking person or designee on the Honor Guard. C. Assistant Squad Leader – a senior member of a squad, not necessarily a ranked supervisor, selected by the Honor Guard Commander. D. Bagpipe Team – Members of the agency who are also membe rs of the Central Florida First Responders Pipes and Drums Team. The band is a completely separate non -profit organization made up of volunteers from the community and not an entity of the agency. E. Casket Watch - Honor Guard members posted at the head and foot of the casket during viewing and wakes. F. Central Florida First Responder Pipes and Drum B and - an all volunteer 501(c) (3) organization and not an entity of the agency. G. Color Team - five Honor Guard members equipped with three flags (National, State , and Agency) and two rifles. The Color Team may include a sixth member acting as team leader and may also include additional flags as protocol or circumstances 17.1.6 , Page 2 of 7 dictate. H. Firing Team - an Honor Guard team consisting of eight members, one of which will be designated as team leader. The seven members of the firing team shall be armed with agency shotguns loaded with blank ammunition for the firing of ceremonial volleys. I. Final Salute - two Honor Guard members who render a final salute to the deceased person at funeral service or burial and may be requested to present an agency flag to the next of kin. J. Flag Team - a team of seven Honor Guard members whose duties are the folding of the colors over the casket of a deceased person for presentation to the next o f kin. K. Full Law Enforcement Honors Funeral - a funeral service and burial for an active sworn agency member killed in the line of duty or whose death was duty related. L. Honor Guard Commander – a Lieutenant or above designated by the Sheriff to serve as a collateral duty. M. Law Enforcement Funeral - a funeral service and burial for active sworn or non - sworn agency members, public officials, or retired sworn members whose death was not duty related. N. Pallbearers - a minimum of six persons designated by the de ceased person’s next of kin to carry the casket. Honor Guard members may perform this function if requested by the family. O. Retired Member Entitled to Funerals and Ceremonies - retired sworn or non -sworn persons. P. Squad Leader – the senior ranking member or designee on each squad. 4. Procedures A. Organizational Structure The Honor Guard will consist of twenty -six (26) members including one (1) Honor Guard Commander, one (1) Assistant Honor Guard Commander and one (1) Training Coordinator. At the discretion of the Honor Guard Commander, the remainder of the personnel will be broken into an appropriate number of squads with designated Squad Leaders and Assistant Squad Leaders. The remainder of the personnel will be assigned as squad members. Duties and Respo nsibilities 1. The Honor Guard Commander shall: a. Be a Lieutenant or above appointed by the Sheriff and is responsible for all administrative and operational aspects of the Honor Guard. The Honor Guard Commander shall report directly to Support Services Divisio n Commander. b. Be responsible for maintaining an updated emergency mobilization roster to confirm that the Honor Guard is available on a twenty -four 17.1.6 , Page 3 of 7 (24) hour basis. The Honor Guard Commander may mobilize off -duty team members when necessary. 2. The Honor Gua rd Assistant Commander shall: a. Maintain files on all Honor Guard related functions. b. Function as the coordinator for probationary members. These duties include confirming monthly evaluations are completed on the performance of probationary members, and that remedial training is provided where applicable. c. Function in the capacity of Honor Guard Commander during his/her absence. 3. Honor Guard Training Coordinator The Training Coordinator reports directly to and assists the Assistant Honor Guard Commander. This position involves multiple duties including, but not limited to, the following: a. Maintains an updated and accurate inventory of all Honor Guard equipment and supplies. b. Coordinates the maintenance and repair of all Honor Guard equipment. c. Conducts monthly in spection of all Honor Guard equipment. d. Identifies training needs, schedules in -service training and confirm s training methods are consistent with GO 18.1. 4. e. Confirm s the maintenance of trai ning records for all Honor Guard members are in accordance GO 18.1. 4 and