The annual Blue Mass was held in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday as part of National Police Week 2018.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, which hosted the event led by Cardinal Donald Wuerl at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at noon, paid tribute the 129 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2017, according to WJLA-TV.
Units from federal, state and local agencies marched in remembrance of their fallen comrades in a solamn parade that proceeded the mass.
"I think it's important for our heroes to know they're supported and that the public respects what they do and they want them safe in the performance of their duties," Washington DC Police Foundation Executive Director Patrick Burke said.
This was the 24th year for the Blue Mass, which was attended by various high-ranking government officials including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.
