Family members of fallen troopers lined the hallways of the Ohio Highway Patrol Training Academy Friday afternoon.
As their loved ones' names were called, the families were escorted to their seats by a uniformed trooper.
"We pronounce their name every year," said A.J. Torres, a retired trooper for the department. "It will be announced here, in London Ohio, in Washington DC."
It was a ceremony of honor and an hour of reflection.
"When you lose somebody on the force it's a special brotherhood. Cause when we are out there working on a midnight shift all we have is each other," said Torres.
One fallen officer was especially personal for trooper Torres.
Trooper Kenneth Velez was on the force with him for more than 20 years. The two became more than best friends, they were family. Torres' son is now a trooper and honors Velez's life and legacy.
"Kenny's unit number will never be issued to another guy again. But his number was put on my son's badge. So, that badge will be over my son's heart for the rest of his career," said Torres as his eyes began welling with tears. "Kenny was really close to us. Kenny was unreal. He was a brother, a friend, a coworker."
Velez left behind his parents and three children.
Click here for a full list of patrol officers killed in the line of duty.