Tribute to the Fallen Heroes. Police Week Memorial 2015

Since this is Police Week, police officers from all across the country--and around the world--are in Washington, DC for the memorial activities. Sadly I missed the candlelight vigil Wednesday night--and I missed watching anti-cop Obama preen for a photo op in front of thousands of the cops that he's insulted and demeaned over the past seven years, but I got down there last night for some pics at the Law Enforcement Memorial. Unfortunately I'm just down to my camera phone now since primary camera took a nose-dive on the concrete on the way there. And it was dusk when I got there, but hopefully these pics capture some of the solemnity.

Many officers are here to remember their fallen comrades.

And many family members come to remember their lost loved ones. And they bring photos, posters and other memorabilia. The heroes are never forgotten. So here are just a few of the countless names on the wall.

Officer Tanjia King, Orlando Fl, Police Dept. Officer Tanja King was killed when her cruiser struck a light pole while she was responding to an emergency assistance call.

Deputy John Mecklenburg, Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Florida. Killed in a crash during a vehicle pursuit.

He was a US Army vet who left behind a wife and two small children.

Officer Robert Hornsby, Killeen Police Department, Texas. Police Officer Bobby Hornsby was shot and killed by a savage with an AK-47 while participating in a SWAT deployment at an apartment complex.

Another officer was wounded at the same time, but the officers returned fire and killed the shooter.

Sergeant Brian Dulle, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Ohio. Hit by the suspect's vehicle while deploying stop sticks to end a pursuit.

Officer Shawn Schneider, Lake City Police Department, Minnesota. Shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call.

He left behind a wife and three children.

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, has lost a lot of heroes over the years.

So has Nashville, Tennesee.

Sergeant William Morris, Miami County Sheriff's Department, Ohio. Shot and killed by a sixteen year old car thief with an M1 carbine.

Corporal Jason Harwood,Topeka Police Department, Kansas. Shot and killed during a traffic stop when one of the occupants of a car that he was approaching ambushed him.

Lots of stories here at the Memorial. None of them have happy endings.

Deputy Jesse Valdez, III, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas. Hit head-on by an SUV driven by a woman high on drugs. She'd just been released from prison three weeks prior after an earlier conviction for doing the same thing.

He was a single dad to a ten-year old boy.

Officer Kevin Ambrose, Springfield Police Department, Massachusetts. Shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call.

His killer then shot and killed the woman he'd been assaulting, then shot himself. Officer Ambrose had served for 36 years and was both a father and a grandfather.

Detective David White, Clay County Sheriff's Office, Florida. Shot and killed by a suspect during a drug raid.

Because drug offenders are never violent and drug crimes are "victimless".

"In Valor there is Hope."

Officer Sean Collier, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department, Massachusetts. Ambushed and murdered by the Boston Marathon Boming terrorists as he sat in his cruiser.

The surviving terrorist, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was just sentenced to death today. Justice!

Border Patrol Agent, Alexander Giannini. Car crash in I-10 in Arizona.

Canada is not immune from police murders, either.

3 RCMP officers shot dead, 2 wounded in Moncton, N.B.

Officer Specialist Timothy Schock, Chesapeake Police Department, Virginia. Died during a training dive while a member of the department's dive team.

Patrolman Thomas J. McMeekin, Jr., Atlantic City Police Department, New Jersey. Struck and killed by a bus while directing traffic, leaving a wife and two-year old daughter to get by without him.

Special Agent James Watson, Drug Enforcement Administration. Stabbed to death on Bogota, Columbia while trying to keep drugs out of our country.

Officer Denise Holden, Raleigh Police Department, North Carolina. Died in a car crash while responding to a call for help from another officer.

Sergeant Derek Johnson, Draper Police Department, Utah. Ambushed while stopping to check on a parked car.

The shooter and his female accomplice were transients with criminal records who'd been living out of the car. Senseless.

Wildlife Officer Joel Campora, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Drowned along with Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter while trying to rescue flash flood victims from a submerging home.

Officer Jessica Nagle-Wilson, Hazel Park, MI PD. Officer Jessica Nagle-Wilson was shot and killed when she responded to an animal complaint.

As she exited her patrol car, a man standing on the porch suddenly opened fire on her with a shotgun, striking her in the face, neck, and stomach. Mortally wounded, she was still able to return fire and wounded the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody at the hospital and sentenced to life in prison. At least she got the bastard.

Too many stories indeed. And too many friends and family members left behind. But on this week, the survivors come together to remember, and to try to heal.

We are not forgotten until the last person affected by the last good deed wo do is gone. And in the case of these selfless men and women, they'll rightfully be remembered forever.