By Craig Anderson

DOVER — With each name read aloud, followed by the ring of a bell, a family was attached.

Delaware’s law enforcement community saluted those members who lost their lives in the line of duty Wednesday and offered support for those families as well.

“Today we pay tribute to all those who serve and especially those who have made that sacrifice,” Delaware Gov. John Carney said.

“These individuals have brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers and (their individual souls) are of great importance.

“And we lift them all up today.”

Thankfully, no names were added in 2021 to the list of more than 50 called out during the 49th annual Law Enforcement Service on Legislative Mall in Dover.

“Every year at this event, with all of you, I pray that we can make it to the next year without adding to the ranks,” Gov. Carney said.

“(And) we did this year, thank God, by the grace of God.”

That doesn’t mean families suffering earlier losses aren’t grieving in some way, Concerns of Police Survivors Delaware Chapter Eleanor Allione said.

While the number of Delaware officers lost when making the ultimate sacrifice doesn’t match other states, Ms. Allione said “I think we feel them more because we’re such a small state in which we are all family.”

No matter the circumstance, Ms. Allione said, “the loss (is) just as heavy and it doesn’t matter how long ago it occurred when there’s another bit of pain coming straight back to each of us.

“But we stay strong clearly as a family to walk the journey with them.”

Gov. Carney concluded by saying, “I want to say thank you in particular to the families of all those who are here today to remember and to those of you who are in a uniform every day and serve people of our state.

“I want you to know that the people have gratitude in their heart and you make us proud every single day.”

A 21-gun salute by the New Castle County Police Department came near the service’s end along with a placement of wreaths near Legislative Hall.

Delaware State Police Lt. Jonathan Packard played taps, and Hannah Garey sang the national anthem.

Earlier in the day, Delaware State Police held its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the training academy in Dover.