St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre led a brief memorial service and balloon release Wednesday, honoring the fallen heroes of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office at Thomas Daley Park in LaPlace.

The event was held as part of National Police Week, which pays tribute to officers killed in the line of duty and honors their memory.

“There are no fancy words, or rhymes and quotes that can put more meaning into what our brothers in blue have done for us,” Tregre said.

“To the family members of those officers recognized today, we are here to show that your loved ones, our officers, who died under tragic circumstances, are still recognized and will not be forgotten.

“It is the courage and spirit of our fallen officers that allow us to carry on.”

St. John officers killed in the line of duty were Constable Ignace Rousselle, Deputy Harry Troxlair Sr., Det. Sherman Walker, Deputy Barton Granier, Code Officer Edmond Songy Jr., Captain Octavio Gonzalez, Deputy Brandon Nielsen and Deputy Jeremy Triche.