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Thursday May 2 – In a ceremony befitting a hero, the Los Angeles Police Department held its annual Memorial Ceremony in the Ronald F. Deaton Auditorium at the Police Administration Building in Downtown Los Angeles. In attendance were many of the surviving family members of some of the more recent officers to be killed in the line of duty along with Department command staff, rank and file officers, and members of the media.The ceremony itself featured a video tribute to the 204 Los Angeles police officers to be killed in the line of duty or who were killed while serving on active duty in the United States military. Police Chief Charlie Beck also added his somber remarks as to what their sacrifice has meant to him and took the opportunity to remind current officers to look out for each other while out performing their duties. An
End of Watch broadcast completed the first portion of the ceremony.The congregation then moved outside to the Memorial Wall located on the east side of the building. Uniformed personnel, including Chief Beck and other command staff, lined up in platoon formation and saluted as a memorial wreath was placed at the wall. Four airships then flew overhead and performed a “Missing Man” maneuver which brought the ceremony to an end. Family members then had the opportunity to place a red rose on the name plate of their fallen loved one.
The month of May serves as Police Memorial Month which is observed throughout the entire country. Memorial services are held throughout the month to honor those who gave all while proudly serving their communities. Ceremonies such as the one held today are a way in which the Department can keep the memories and legacies of our fallen heroes alive and well.
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