The Law Enforcement Memorial Service was held at Phill G. McDonald Plaza on Thursday, May 16 at 10 a.m.

The ceremony honors the 23 law enforcement officers in Guilford County who have died in the line of duty dating back to 1913.

City Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter gave the opening remarks on behalf of the City of Greensboro.

The name of each of the officers was read and an officer from the same law enforcement unit placed a rose in the wreath in front of the monument in the plaza in memory of those officers.

It is a somber occasion, but made more so this year because for the first time since 1992, a Greensboro Police Officer’s name had been added to list.

Officer Jared Franks, the son of Karen and Greensboro Police Captain Jonathan Franks, who died in a vehicular accident while in pursuit of a suspect on Nov. 10, 2018.

The ceremony ended with a 21 gun salute by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, Taps played by retired Greensboro assistant chief Gary Hastings, and Amazing Grace on bagpipes by Master Officer David Rosser of the High Point Police Department.

Greensboro Police Officer Julie Cline sang the National Anthem to begin the ceremony.

The week of May 15 was declared National Peace Officers’ Week By President John Kennedy in 1962 and in 1993 the monument honoring law enforcement officers was erected on Phill G. McDonald Plaza.