National Police Week Memorial Service held to honor officials

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- In recognition of National Police Week, law enforcement agencies held a memorial service to honor and pay respect to personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The service was held at the Northwest Missouri Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Civic Center Park.

Members from the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H and other Northwest Missouri legal departments were in attendance. Families, friends and civilians came to show their support for those who have fallen.

"It's a great time to not only remember the good times and the bad times, but just to reconnect with everyone," Buchannan County Sheriffs Office captain Michael Hess said. "But more importantly, just to remember that these gentlemen lost their lives in the line of duty and to pay tribute to them, to their families."

Lexi Dekraai Ussary, the daughter of St. Joseph police officer Dan Dekraai, who died following a training exercise in 2010, spoke at the service.

The memorial will be again next year to honor law enforcement personnel.