People on both sides of the law are losing their lives. Sunday every Baltimore police officer killed in the line of duty was remembered and honored at the fallen heroes ceremony.
Friends, family and city leaders came together to honor those who've paid the ultimate price.
"He really did love being a police officer and unfortunately he had to die that way," widow, Elaine Sweeney, told ABC2 News.
Sweeney is talking about her husband Owen, killed in the line of duty 20 years ago.
"It's very special to be here. It can be hard but it's also very heartwarming. I believe that our fallen heroes should be remembered, they should be respected," said Sweeney.
"The Baltimore Police Department has given so much over the years more than anyone for public safety in our great state and in the city of Baltimore," said Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Kevin Davis.
Laurie Platt also lost her husband. She her family attend the ceremony yearly.
"We gather every year to remember our fallen officers and I'm here to remember my husband who was killed 17 years ago."
Platt says the pain and loss never go away.
"It seems just like yesterday and then it seems like a lifetime ago that he was here with us."
136 Baltimore police officers have died in the department's 233 year history. The annual fallen heroes ceremony, helps bring the memories of those loved ones back. And while it's a loss the department never gets over, it's the families who face the heartbreak every day.
"The wives and the children what they still endure so they still live with the pain and the suffering even to this day," said Davis.
"I don't want anyone to forget Owen and i don't them to forget any of our police officers who've been killed in the line of duty," said Sweeney.
Sunday's ceremony was put on by the Fraternal Order of Police.
