GF Ceremony Honors Officers Killed in Line of Duty

It was a chance for friends, families and co-workers to pay tribute to area law enforcement killed in the line-of-duty. 10 different departments took part in the "Police Week Memorial Service" honoring 19 officers who lost their lives.

"This is what we do to respect those that have lost the battle," Grand Forks Police Dept. Corporal LaVonne Dvorak said.

It's a time for reflection, remembrance and recognition.

"Today we are honoring our fallen heroes. May 15th is National Police Officer Memorial Day and we're having it today in conjunction so people can attend and see," Dvorak said.

Officers were recognized in a roll-call, rose laying ceremony and wreath placement.

Families and friends of officers lined the street in front of the courthouse in silence.

"They made the ultimate sacrifice and we've got to remember them and keep them in our hearts and minds and prayers and their families as well," G.F. Border Patrol Agent Rosa Nelly Hernandez said.

As each of the 19 names of officers lost in the line of duty are called, a rose is placed on a memorial table in their honor. Some say they know the risks of the jobs they do, and although they have to move forward, they'll never forget.

"Hard to know that we have to maintain our professionalism to do the job day in, day out. It doesn't matter that we lost 2 border patrol agents. We can't stop," Hernandez said.

"They are gone but they are not forgotten and they are heroes. I mean the legacy lives on forever and that's what's so important, that's why we try and keep the families involved," Dvorak said.

The keynote speaker at the event was Leiutenant Governer of North Dakota Drew Wrigley.

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