Fallen Police Officers Honored In Cleveland Ceremony

CLEVELAND -- Local police officers who died in the line of duty were remembered Friday in a special parade and ceremony.

Officers from around northeast Ohio and as far away as New York and Canada marched through downtown Cleveland and rode a procession of motorcycles for the 23rd annual Peace Officers Memorial Parade.

Hundreds of people lined the streets to pay tribute to the officers.

After the parade, a ceremony at Huntington Park honored the lives and ultimate sacrifices of Officers Jason West, George Brentar and Derek Owens, the last three local officers to die in the line of duty.

Among those in attendance was Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

"We solemnly mark the deaths of police officers because they represent the loss of our bravest and our finest," said Strickland.

It was also a chance to pay tribute to the fallen officers' families, who are united because of their loss.

A rifle salute and the playing of Taps ended the ceremony.

Now three more names are etched on a memorial wall.

Evens for the Peace Officers Memorial Celebration will continue all weekend and ends with a memorial Mass and breakfast on Sunday.