SCHULYER COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- A ceremony at Schuyler Counties Sheriff’s office honored law enforcement officers who passed in the line of duty. In front of the Michael J. Maloney Public Safety building, for the fourth year, an annual service allows the public to pay respects to officers who have passed over the last year. 

“Law enforcement memorial week is honoring those who have given their life in the force in the line of duty,” said Sheriff Kevin Rumsey of the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office. 

In 1962, John F. Kennedy signed a declaration proclaiming May 15th as Peace Officer's Memorial Day.  

“It's important that people know how many people have served for other people and have put their lives out there for all of us,” shared Pam Kelly, wife of SCSO Chaplain Michael J Kelly.  

During the service, the names of 26 fallen officers from the region were read - including one line of duty death going back 136 years. The service concluded by laying a flow and the memorial wreath to salute each person no longer with us.  

“Keeping their memories alive. A lot of things you hear in services like this is 'the ultimate sacrifice.' Giving one's life to the community. To me, and to many who wear this uniform there's no greater cause to do what we do to serve the people,” added Sheriff Rumsey. 

As the United States continues to see mass shooting after mass shooting the memorial service ended with a rifle salute to mourn the recent events. National Police Week continues from May 14th through the 20th.  

“Not everybody is called to do this line of work. We go into it knowing that that's a possibility. Obviously, we don't want that to happen, families don't want that to happen, but it is a possibility, for us it is an honor to be able to do that,” concluded Sheriff Rumsey.