Thousands lit up candles at the National Mall in Washington DC last night to honor the deaths of more than 700 law enforcement officers in a moving vigil.
More than 4,000 officers and their families attended the candlelit ceremony to offer their tributes to the hundreds who have died in the line of duty.
There have been 701 officer deaths in recent years including 434 who died in 2019 and 2020 alone.
Thousands of candles are held up during the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's Annual Candlelight Vigil, on the National Mall
Nancy Devlin, wife of former Massachusetts state trooper Thomas Devlin who was hit by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop and passed away from complications of injuries, wipes tears during the ceremony
More than 4,000 officers and their families attended the candlelit ceremony to offer their tributes to the hundreds who have died in the line of duty
Families and colleagues participate in a candlelight vigil as part of Police Weekend 2021 in Washington DC
Chiquita Newman, is comforted by Chicago Police officer Al Ferreira over the death of her husband Ronald Newman who died after contracting Covid on duty
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said: 'Today we recognize the nobility of the law enforcement profession. We pay tribute to those who lost their lives in sacrifice of the safety of our communities, and we remember them.'
The names of the fallen officers were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial which displays the 22,611 law enforcement officers who have died in duty throughout US history.
Their lives and service were marked with a final roll call of honor on Thursday evening.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said: 'We are gathered here today to honor those seven hundred and one fallen officers whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers memorial.
Allen Montoya (left) and Eduardo Pintor (right) of Texas Harris County Sheriff's Office participate in the vigil to honor their colleagues
The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial held its 2021 candlelight vigil to remember law enforcement personnel who were killed in the line of duty
A bagpiper performs during the candlelight vigil as the names of the fallen officers were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial which displays the 22,611 law enforcement officers who have died in duty throughout US history
'We gather because grieving, remembering, and honoring those we have lost means more when we can do it together. I'm honored to be here in person with you for this occasion.'
Garland made reference to DEA
