Members of the Raleigh Police Department Monday gathered outside of WRAL News Monday night as the tower turned blue for National Police Week.

WRAL News turned the tower blue around 8 p.m., joining several City of Raleigh and downtown buildings turning their lights blue for National Police Week.

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"This is an incredible week, just being able to celebrate our fallen heroes, and to celebrate our officers that are still standing," Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said.

National Police Week comes just weeks after a Charlotte police officer, a US marshal and two corrections officers were killed when a man fired at them while they were trying to serve a warrant.

"Our hearts bleed for what happened in Charlotte," Patterson said. "Our fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement that were hurt when we see that we have to do more."

'Ultimate sacrifice'

Hundreds gathered earlier Monday in Wake County to honor the lives of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

A memorial ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, located at 1800 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh. Community members and loved ones of fallen law enforcement officers will come together to remember and honor heroes for their service and sacrifices.

Patterson and Attorney General Josh Stein were among the first speakers addressing families.

"We know that fallen officers do not sacrifice alone ... you all do as well," Stein said. "You are forced to wake up the next day and every day after and pick up the pieces of your lives and move forward without your loved one beside you."

Stein went on to say to families, "You played an integral role in nurturing the flame of service that burned within these fallen officers ... your support, your patience, your faith, your bravery, your love were sources of strength that supported their bravery and heroism. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Stein's remarks were followed by a performance of "Amazing Grace" from the Raleigh Youth Choir.

A total of 23 Wake County fallen law enforcement officers will be honored on Monday, including officer Gabriel Torres from the Raleigh Police Department, who died in the Oct. 13, 2022, Hedingham shooting, and Deputy Ned Byrd from the Wake County Sheriff's Office, who was shot and killed on Aug. 11 that same year.

The names of the following heroes were read by Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe followed by a 21-gun salute.

  • Thomas J. Crabtree, Raleigh Police Department, Sept. 1, 1922
    • Guy Cecil Massey, Wake County Sheriff's Office: Sept. 10, 1933
      • John L. Taylor, Wake Forest Police Department: May 30, 1944
        • George C. Mitchell, Wake Forest Police Department: April 26, 1947
          • Robert Earl Sparks, Raleigh Police Department: March 8, 1968
            • James Gale Lee, Raleigh Police Department: Dec. 5, 1968
              • James Allen, Raleigh Police Department: Dec. 5, 1968
                • Robert Randall East, State Highway Patrol: Dec. 21, 1972
                  • Delma Devon Adams, Raleigh Police Department: Feb. 3, 1980
                    • Cecil E. Enlow: Wake Forest Police Department: Feb. 26, 1984
                      • William Edward Bayless, III, State Highway Patrol: Feb. 5, 1988
                        • Denise Holden, Raleigh Police Department: Aug. 4, 1995
                          • William Earl Godwin, Morrisville Police Department, May 22, 1997
                            • Paul Andrew Hale, Raleigh Police Department: July 11, 1997
                              • Charles Radford Paul, III, Raleigh Police Department: Sept 10, 2002
                                • William Franklin James, II, Wake County Sheriff's Office: Sept. 5, 2003
                                  • Phil Owens, Wake County Sheriff's Office: Oct. 2, 2003
                                    • Mark Reid Tucker, Wake County Sheriff's Office: Feb. 12, 2004
                                      • Andrew Stocks, State Highway Patrol: Sept. 9, 2008
                                        • Stephon Maurice Wall, Wake County Sheriff's Office, April 22, 2018
                                          • Ryan Hayworth, Knightdale Police Department: Oct. 17, 2021
                                            • Ned P. Byrd, Wake County Sheriff's Office: Aug. 11, 2022
                                              • Gabriel Torres, Raleigh Police Department: Oct. 13, 2022
                                                • K9 Santos, Wake County Sheriff's Office: May 26, 2023

                                                  Larry Smith with the Durham County Fraternal Order of Police said the ceremony comes at a time where local departments are still struggling with morale and staffing, especially with the recent tragedy in Charlotte.

                                                  Eight officers were shot April 29 as law enforcement attempted to serve a warrant in Charlotte. Four died, including a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer and three members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force.

                                                  "When we see the violence that's going on in our nation right now and when we see the number of officers who have been injured and killed, given the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of our nation, it's just really important that we pause and remember the sacrifice and the officers who lost their lives doing this job," Smith said.

                                                  Monday's ceremony was livestreamed on WRAL.com and is open to the public.