Residents in Cumberland County paused Thursday morning to remember law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
One family shared their story of loss at the Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.
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The memorial service outside the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office lasted about an hour but it honored law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice dating back to 1907.
It was a solemn ceremony with the formal presentation of colors, salutes and the firing of volleys honoring law enforcement officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Dixie Lowry-Davis was in the crowd.
Her husband, State Trooper Ed Lowry, was shot-to-death on Interstate 95 in 1997 by the Golphin brothers who had robbed a jewelry story in Lumberton.
Cumberland County Sheriff's Deputy David Hathcock also died in that incident.
"It's kind of bittersweet," Lowry-Davis said. "You know, after 26 years, you still remember. Sometimes it seems like it was yesterday. And sometimes it seems like it was a long time ago. But I'm glad they remember the officers. And that's what it's all about."
Kaylee Ledford never got to meet her grandpa Ed.
"It's just really special," said the 19-year-old Ledford. "His sacrifice is what's needed to be honored and it is so great that they do this every year."
This memorial honors the fallen officers and the families who also make sacrifices.
"From the officer who is working the beat tonight who's probably going to miss the cutting of a birthday cake to the officers that work Christmas day and miss the opening of the presents," said Fayetteville Police Chief Kem Braden.
"This is a calling," said Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright. "Especially this time of day as law enforcement. Everybody can't do this job. Everybody don't want to do this job, but we have to have law enforcement."
Hathcock and Lowry's names are on the memorial wall along with 34 others. It's the community's way of remembering the sacrifices they made.