They put their lives on the line to protect us every day when they go to work. And sometimes, they lose their life in the process.
Friday, those men and women were honored.
Law officers from across the state gathered outside the Capitol Friday for the annual Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. They were joined by Governor Jim Doyle who said all the honorees shared a common sense of duty.
"All of these officers were willing to put themselves in harms way as guardians of our communities in a society where all to often so many shun their responsibilities," Governor Doyle said.
The names of Joseph Baker and Jay Balchunas were added to the memorial this year.
Baker was shot and killed in 1875 while serving eviction papers. Special Agent Balchunas died November 5 of last year after breaking up an armed robbery.
The memorial includes 236 names of fallen law enforcement officers.
