The community joined together this morning at the McLennan County Peace Officer Memorial to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Sharon Barrett-Hicks is honoring her father, Sgt. Roger Barrett of the Waco Police Department, along with other officers killed in the line of duty.
"June 12, 1976. I was four years old," Barrett-Hicks said. "He was trying to arrest a man that was fleeing and trying to hijack a taxi. He had a knife and stabbed my father two times in the heart, turned around then shot him directly two times in the heart."
During this memorial service, dozens of names were read aloud as hundreds paid their respects to those who vowed to protect and serve.
"It's great to see our community come out and support what we do and to remember that we are more than just police officers," said Sgt. Sam Key with the Waco Police Department. "We are husbands and wives and we're brothers and sisters."
Multiple agencies worked together to present the colors and perform a 21-gun salute. Taps was also played during the ceremony.
"My daughter, who is 10 years old now has never met my father and she never will. But bringing her to this at least makes it more real," Barrett said.
"We just people not to forget," said Sgt. Key. "There were sacrifices made for the protection of you, for the community at large."
Friends and family also placed roses below the names of their loved ones as a salute to our heroes. Those flowers and a memorial wreath now stand at the site.
"In our hearts, he will always live in the memory," Barrett-Hicks said. "One day, we will all see our loved ones again. That really makes it feel a lot better."
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