Thousands Gather in Washington to Honor Fallen Officers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people have gathered in Washington to remember fallen law enforcement officers.

Media outlets report that candles illuminated the National Mall during Friday night's ceremony, which honored the 252 officers who were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.

Steve Groeinger, a spokesman for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, told WJLA-TV that the emotional event is helpful for officers' in their grief process.

Organizers estimate that 20,000 attended Friday's event. The names added to the law enforcement memorial this year include 123 officers who died in 2015 and 129 officers who died in previous years.