Officers across the country were recognized at the memorial observance at the Naperville Safety Campus.
Police Chief Bob Marshall addressed the crowd and paid tribute to those fallen officers with a moment of silence, prayer, and music.
In 1927, Chief Robert Werthel died in a motorcycle accident while responding to an armed robbery. He remains the only Naperville officer to give his life in the line of duty.
However, Marshall said the observance was for officers across the country, including the 93 who were killed in 2017.
“When we took the oath of office, all of us knew there was a possibility that we would have to give our life for the protection and safety of others,” said Marshall. “So to recognize those officers who have done that is something we must never forget – their sacrifice.”
Mayor Steve Chirico topped off the event with a proclamation making the week of May 13 to May 19, 2018 as National Police Week in the City of Naperville.
The tradition of honoring police officers began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
