Some love stories start later in life. Others begin much earlier. For Alyssa (Porter) Labonte, it all began in elementary school.
“Jeremy and I met in the 5th grade when I started going to the same school as him. By the 7th grade, he asked me to be his girlfriend and we were inseparable for all the years following that. He was my safe place, my biggest cheerleader, and the person who made the world feel lighter just by being in it. He wasn’t just someone I loved, he was home to me.”
That same steady presence followed Jeremy into adulthood and into his career as a Roswell police officer, where he served with deep care for others. “Jeremy lived with purpose. He led with integrity, served with humility, and loved people with his whole heart. He was steady, kind, genuinely funny, and the person everyone could depend on whether you knew him for ten years or ten minutes. His life made others feel seen, safe, and valued.”
In February 2025, Alyssa’s world changed when her husband, a Roswell police officer, passed away in the line of duty.
“That night is something etched into me forever. I remember feeling every emotion: shock, disbelief, and the way time seemed to stop. My world flipped upside down in a moment. The weight of it was unbearable and I genuinely thought I would die from a broken heart. Reflecting on the hardest night of my life, what I remember most is how deeply he was loved.”
In the days that followed, care and encouragement surrounded Alyssa.
“The Roswell community stepped in in ways I never would’ve imagined. They honored Jeremy not just with words, but with action.”
Today, she carries him forward with quiet strength.
“I feel peace knowing that he lived a life he was proud of.”
In August 2026, the annual memorial walk themed “His Watch Ended, Our Walk Begins” will once again bring people together to honor a life of service, love, and lasting impact.
“He was my safe place, my biggest cheerleader, and the person who made the world feel lighter just by being in it."