Ten years after losing her cousin Officer Daniel Ellis in the line of duty, country singer Hannah Ellis is finding beauty in remembrance — and hope in the next chapter of her story.
The Kentucky native and Curb Records recording artist officially re-released one of the most personal songs of her career, “Officer Down (10th Anniversary),” last Friday (October 17). The reimagined version breathes new life into the song she first penned in 2015 after Daniel’s funeral — a moment that changed her life, her art, and her understanding of purpose.
“It was the first song I wrote when I got back to Nashville from his funeral,” Ellis tells Celeb Secrets exclusively. “My co-writers even asked if I wanted to write something lighter to get my mind off things, but I told them, ‘I can’t write anything else until I write this story.’ It was cathartic. I thought I was doing it just for my family, but I realized it spoke to so many others who’ve experienced loss.”
Originally recorded as an independent artist, “Officer Down” introduced Ellis to fans as a lyrical truth-teller. Nearly a decade later, she’s honoring both her cousin’s memory and the thousands of families who share similar heartbreak with a tender reimagining that leans into her Kentucky bluegrass roots, produced by Eric Arjes and co-written alongside Justin Ebach and Steven Dale Jones.
The emotional new version showcases Ellis’ growth not only as a vocalist, but also as a woman who’s learned how to carry grief with grace.
“Coming up on the 10-year anniversary of his passing, it felt like there needed to be something we could do to honor him — to bring his memory back to life,” she says softly. “Time passes and it heals wounds, but it doesn’t make it go away. This song is a reminder that these families still carry that pain, and their loved ones deserve to be remembered.”
This milestone wasn’t just about releasing a song. On October 13, Ellis took her cousin’s legacy beyond the recording booth and onto the fairway, hosting the first-ever Hannah Ellis Officer Down Golf Classic at the Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, Tennessee.
The full-day event — complete with 18 holes of championship golf, a silent auction, catered meals (featuring an oyster bar and barbecue spread, naturally), and a private performance from Ellis herself — raised over $27,000 for C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), a nonprofit organization supporting families of fallen officers.
“I’ve always loved golf and wanted to host a tournament, and this cause made it the perfect fit,” Ellis shares. “I saw firsthand what C.O.P.S. does for families like ours, and giving back through something that brings people together felt so right.”
Ellis originally set out to raise $10,000, but her community showed up in full force, more than doubling her goal. “I cannot wait to see the ways we’re able to give back through the years,” she tells us. “We’re just getting started.”
With heartfelt performances and moments of shared reflection, the tournament embodied exactly what “Officer Down”stands for: remembrance, unity, and hope. “It’s amazing to see people come together in celebration and love — to help bring a little light to families going through their darkest days,” she says.
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In the midst of all this, Ellis is embracing a brand-new role: mom-to-be. The singer and her husband, fellow artist Nick Wayne, are expecting their first child in November, a baby boy due around CMA Awards season.
“It’s been so fun knowing I’m on stage doing what I love while he’s right there with me,” Ellis smiles. “I’ve had to take a few more breaths between lyrics these days — the lung capacity isn’t what it used to be — but it’s such a sweet season. I know I’ll never forget performing with him along for the ride.”
Her joy is contagious. Between recording sessions, press days, and her Blue Jean Baby-themed baby shower (because, of course, denim runs in the family), Ellis is soaking in every moment from swollen feet to nursery prep and beyond.
“I’ve wanted to be a mom forever, and it just felt like the right time personally and professionally,” she shares. “My husband and I are so excited. I’m the girl who wants all the gear, all the overalls, all the cute little jeans. We’re ready.”
Despite the whirlwind, Ellis remains grounded in gratitude. She’s continuing to release music — including one more single before year’s end — and is already dreaming about writing songs inspired by motherhood.
“I don’t know how you can carry around a child all day and not write a song about it,” she laughs. “It’s going to be so special knowing there’s a body of music he can look back on and say, ‘This is what my mom and dad did.’”
Even as she nears her due date, Ellis’ determination hasn’t wavered. She’s already sought advice from other “country music moms,” she says, including a few who’ve shared wisdom about touring and balancing baby life on the road.
“It’s definitely going to be a learning curve,” she admits. “But I have such an incredible community of women in country music who’ve shown me that it’s possible. I want to bring him along for the ride and show him what it looks like to chase your passion fully.”
And that’s exactly what Hannah Ellis does, as she chases every dream with a full heart. From honoring her cousin’s heroism to helping families heal through the Officer Down Golf Classic, to releasing music that reminds us we’re never alone in grief, she continues to prove that country music is about real stories and real people.
“My biggest goal is to not slow down,” Ellis says. “He’s being born into the family and the life we’ve already built, and I can’t wait for him to be a part of it.”
Through “Officer Down (10th Anniversary)”, Ellis has turned loss into legacy, compassion into community, and remembrance into renewal. The track is a living tribute, one that continues to give back, comfort, and inspire. And as she steps into motherhood, her story reminds us of the power of love that endures — the kind that doesn’t fade with time, but grows stronger with every verse, every memory, and every heartbeat.
For more on Hannah Ellis and “Officer Down (10th Anniversary),” make sure to watch our full interview below — and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
