"We owe those who have gone before us:" Fallen men, women in blue honored in annual ceremony

MILWAUKEE -- A tribute to the men and women in blue who have lost their lives serving others was held on Wednesday, May 11th. The annual ceremony coincides with National Police Week -- and was held at Alfred C. Clas Park in Milwaukee.

Pipes welcomed the motorcade of officers and deputies near the south steps of the Milwaukee County Courthouse -- and the crowd was silent as the colors filed in.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn

"This day is set aside for those gathered here to make a partial payment on the debt of honor. We owe those who have gone before us," said Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn.

Milwaukee County has not suffered such a loss in several years. But Gov. Scott Walker reminded those gathered the area was not spared in 2015.

"Thankfully in the metropolitan area, we haven't lost in law enforcement since 2012. But statewide, both in McFarland, we lost a police officer -- and in Fond du Lac, we lost a state trooper," Walker said.

Gov. Scott Walker

Wednesday's ceremony also included comments from Milwaukee County's district attorney.

"These are challenging times in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. And I don't think we take enough time to think about the impact that each and every one of these officers have in the lives of the people in our community," said John Chisholm.

Pipes played once again during the laying of the memorial wreaths.

21-year-old Trevor Casper, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper was killed in the line of duty in March of 2015 -- and McFarland police officer Ryan Copeland died in a car crash on November 23rd, 2015.

Trevor Casper

State Trooper shot and killed in Fond du Lac

Ryan Copeland

Police officer killed in crash in Dane County