Louisiana State Police will honor and remember the dedicated men and women of law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and serving others in the annual LSP Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the memorial in front of the Louisiana State Police Headquarters on Independence Boulevard in Baton Rouge Friday morning, May 18 at 9:30 am.

On average, 150 police officers from various agencies are killed in the line of duty each year. Since 1925, 26 Louisiana State Troopers have lost their lives while serving the citizens of Louisiana. The most recent member of the Louisiana State Police family who made the ultimate sacrifice was DPS Corporal John Kendall, who was killed in the line of duty on August 10, 2011. He was a retired Louisiana State Trooper who continued to serve as a DPS Officer. Prior to Corporal Kendall’s death, the last trooper killed in the line of duty was Senior Trooper Duane Dalton of Troop D on January 12, 2010.

Each of the 26 courageous Troopers left behind loved ones who have had to endure their loss. It is for the family members of these fallen Troopers that we remember and pay tribute to them during this special ceremony.

A memorial poem will be read by Adam Gray, the son of Master Trooper Stephen Gray, who was killed in the line of duty on May 29, 1995 near Lake Charles while on patrol. Master Trooper Gray had been a Trooper for 15 years. Adam is completing his Junior year at Denham Springs High School and plans to pursue a career in emergency response after graduation.


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Another ceremony takes place here in Shreveport. Law enforcement agencies from across northwest Louisiana will gather on the banks of the Red River tomorrow morning for the same purpose. As part of National Police Week -- which runs through this Saturday -- local authorities will hold their annual Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony. That starts at 11:30 in the morning directly behind the Barnwell Garden and Art Center on Clyde Fant Parkway. Everyone's invited to attend.

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