MERIDIAN — A crowd is sitting in silence with the names of Idaho's fallen officers ringing in their ears.
"It represents each person, each deputy, police officer that's fallen in the line of duty," said deputy sheriff of the Jefferson County jail Jenie Bond, "we'll ring it almost 72 times for each individual."
Now, with another name forever etched into the wall.
"Kent Donald Swanson, Shelley Police Department, May 21st, 2018," said the announcer.
"Today we will add Sgt. Swanson's name to the following in Idaho," said the president of the Idaho Fallen Officer Memorial Board of Directors Lt. Col. Sheldon Kelley, "we welcome his family, the officers he served with, and his friends on this somber but special day."
The annual memorial ceremony at the Peace Officers Memorial honors the more than 70 Idaho officers who've made the ultimate sacrifice.
"This ceremony is especially important to me, I know or have known several of the names that are on that wall personally," said Kelley.
Governor little also spoke to the bravery of the men and women in uniform who serve our state.
"Our goal is we continue to have these ceremonies, but we don't add any more names; unfortunately, that's not going to be the case," said Governor Brad Little.
The sacrifices made won't be easily forgotten.
"Every minute of every day we have brave men and women in law enforcement serving all across the state of Idaho, putting themselves in danger to keep society safe," said Kelley.
