Candlelight vigil conducted during National Police Week in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WYMT) - It is National Police Week, and lawmakers and law enforcement officers gathered in Washington D.C. to pay tribute to police officers who died in the line of duty.

The candlelight vigil was held for the 24,412 officers engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, 11 of whom served at the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Jason Duff with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office was at the vigil this year.

“Made you stop and be thankful for what they did,” Duff said. “All law enforcement, all different walks of life, all agencies, just coming together as one to remember those fallen heroes.”

For 2025, 345 names were added to the memorial.

John Rutherford, former sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, said “One officer lost is one too many.”

In April 2024, four law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Three of the fallen officers’ wives attended the candlelight vigil.

“We must remember the men and women who laid down their lives to serve and protect us,” Ashley Eyer, widow of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer said. “We must also appreciate those who still go to work and put on the uniform, never knowing what the day may bring, but they are always willing to do whatever it takes to keep our community safe.”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson ended the vigil with a moment of prayer.

“Be their shield at every hour of danger,” Johnson said. “Guard them as they guard us and bring them home safely to their families.”