Law enforcement and firefighters gathered Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Washington to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Keith Hinderlighter with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 101 said it’s important to recognize the day in honor of those officers who have laid down their lives for others in service to their communities.

Bells were rang in honor of 7 officers who died in the past year in Indiana including  2 from southwest Indiana.

They were Sgt. Heather Glenn of the Tell City and with the Perry County Sheriff’s Department and and Asson Hacker with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.

Washington Mayor and former Fire Chief Dave Rhodes read a proclamation in honor of the day and of National Police Week.

In his short speech he said that officers in the Washington Police Department and Daviess County Sheriff’s Department play an essential role in protecting the rights and freedoms of local citizens.