Police officers who died in the line of duty were remembered and honored Monday in Raleigh.
The ceremony at Hayes Barton Baptist Church coincided with National Police Week, which runs May 10–16. Watch the full event here.
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More than 20 officers were honored, including Roger Smith, who was shot and killed in the WakeMed Garner emergency room in November, and Gabriel Torres, who was killed in the 2022 mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood.
Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd was also be honored. Byrd was killed in 2022 when he pulled over to investigate a truck on the side of Battle Bridge Road in southeastern Wake County.
The public was invited to attend the ceremony, which included music, prayer and a wreath laying for the officers.
Among the speakers was Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce, who addressed the families of first responders who died, saying in part:
"Their courage was not measured only in moments of danger but in a quiet everyday commitment to protect complete stranger -- to stand between chaos and safety and to serve something greater than themselves. Behind every badge was a person. A son, a daughter, a husband, a wife, a parent, a friend, a partner ... we remember them not for how they died but for how they lived with honor, integrity and compassion."Raleigh Chief of Police Rico Boyce
National Police Week was established in 1962 to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.
WRAL tower turns blue
The WRAL tower on Western Boulevard will turn blue Monday at 7 p.m. in recognition of National Police Week and to honor the lives of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Other buildings in Raleigh will also turn blue, including the PNC Tower, the Governor’s Mansion and the Raleigh Convention Center wall. Fallen officer banners will be placed along Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.