Fallen Madison Co. deputy Rosemary Vela to be honored in D.C.

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — A fallen Madison County deputy will soon be honored in our nation’s capital.

Rosemary Vela

Deputy Rosemary Vela was laid to rest in October after the sheriff’s office says she was killed while responding to a crash.

On Sunday, her name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., which honors officers nationwide who have died in the line of duty.

Officers say her spirit lives on through the department.

“She had an infectious smile and she could light up a room when she came in,” said Randall Blankenship with the sheriff’s department. “Her presence was felt, and she is truly missed to this day.”

Local records show Vela is the first line-of-duty death for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in more than 20 years.

Hear from Vela’s family this evening on WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News at 6 as they share their thoughts on this weekend’s events honoring the fallen deputy both locally and in Washington, D.C.