Fallen officers from agencies across the state of Texas were honored by Brown County emergency responders, local officials and law enforcement supporters who gathered Tuesday at the Brown County Law Enforcement Center for a Memorial Service.

May 15, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress in 1962 that created National Police Week and May 15th as Police Day, a fitting date for such a ceremony.

Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley and Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs gave opening remarks reminding those present that the service was intended to honor the fallen and pay respects to their families who have also sacrificed a lot through their loved ones’ service.

“It’s very heartwarming to see the support of the community,” said Corley to the crowd.

Statistics were shared by Corley who stated that during the past year 166 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty nationwide and 13 of those in Texas alone.

“In Texas, we lost 13 and that’s too many. We pray for them, we honor them and we pray for their families today and just hope that we can make things better,” said Corley.

Corley then talked about a new law enforcement program, Under 100, which focuses on getting the number of officers’ deaths under 100 each year.

Corley asked the crowd to remember to thank officers for their service.

“When you see the officers in your community, deputies and constables – all law enforcement officers, just take time to appreciate what they do and what their families have done, especially the ones who have gone before us, we need to support them,” said Corley.

Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs reminded the crowd of the dangers officers face today, that they can be killed in the line of duty all too often.

Grubbs spoke of the many officers who know fellow officers who have been killed in the line of duty and how the list grows the longer throughout an officer’s career.

“At this time, we want to reflect on the men and women that law enforcement who have lost their lives during the performance of their duties, making the ultimate sacrifice protecting society” said Grubbs. “Keep their families, the ones they leave behind in your prayers, these are the people who also pay a big price in this for what we do. The people really impacted by (the dangers of) what we do are the families.”

Prayers were lifted remembering those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, the peace keepers of our cities, counties, state and correctional facilities. A poem, “A part of America Died Today” was read by Early Chief of Police David Mercer.

Brownwood High School Band trumpet players Karissa Means and Lucerno Mares played Taps as Patrolman Fred Bastardo of the Brownwood Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Arnold raised and lowered the flags to half mast in the fallen officers’ honor.

Pictured above, officers bring flags to half mast while trumpets play Taps.  See video of the ceremony and additional pictures below.

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Names of the fallen are read by Bangs Chief of Police Troy Gruesendorf. Also pictured left to right are Sheriff Grubbs and BPD Chief Corley.

City and county officials, firemen, law enforcement, and the public were in attendance.

City officials and officers.

Officers from agencies across the county in attendance.

Lowering of the flags.

Memorial flowers in the lobby of the Law Enforcement Center.