Los Angeles: On May 5, 2010, the Department held a ceremony in the courtyard  of the Police Administration Building to honor the 203 men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duty. Command Staff, Department employees, family and friends, joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigoza and Chief Charlie Beck in honoring the fallen officers. Chief Beck honored not only the profession but also the men and women in blue who over the years gave their lives while serving their community. Chief Beck stated that 52 out of the 203 officers have perished during his 33 years tenure with the LAPD .

During the ceremony Chief Beck somberly remembered Officer James Choquette the first officer to die during the Chief’s tenure. Officer Choquette and Chief Beck were both assigned to Southeast Division Gang Detail and were on duty, when Officer Croquette was killed during a traffic accident on Central Avenue and 102nd Street.

Officer Robert J. Cottle’s name was added to the others, making him the 203rd officer to die in the line of duty. This year also marked the 100th aniversary passing of Officer David Brooks. Officer Brooks was working a plain clothes detain when he came across an armed robbery. A gunfire errupted between the suspects and Officer Brooks, when was shot in the chest and died from his injuries.

Chief Beck commented that law enforcement, military and fireman personnel are pay special homage upon their deaths because “ They died while protecting others from injustice, terrorism,violence, and crime. They did not die by accident, but they intentionally chose this path and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The formal Memorial Cermony included the “Walk of Heroes” procession, followed by a twenty-one riffle volley performed by the LAPD Honor Guard. Air Division executed a Fly Over in the missing Man Formation. The ceremony culminated with family members of the fallen officers placing a red rose on the nameplate of their loved ones on the memorial wall.