The Santa Barbara Police Department held a remembrance ceremony on Thursday in honor of the national Peace Officers Memorial Day, when departments around the country remember officers who have died in the line of duty.

Police Chief Kelly Gordon welcomed those in attendance before acknowledging the 147 officers who died in the line of duty in 2024 in the United States, adding that the number was up 25% from 2022.

Gordon also acknowledged what she called a “silent crisis” — suicide among law enforcement. She said it’s estimated that 180 or more public safety officers died by suicide in 2024.

“This highlights the continued need for mental health care and resources for all the trauma that is experienced by officers,” Gordon said.

She also thanked the officers who attended Thursday’s event, including retired officers.

“Whether (you) just got out of the academy, whether you’ve been doing it for 30 years, it doesn’t matter. You continue, and you’ve honored that,” Gordon said. “And for the retirees that are here, I know, but you still serve your community and different ways. You never actually took off the badge; you just put it in a different place.”

At the beginning of the event, the Honor Guard was escorted in by the Santa Barbara Bagpipe and Drum Corps before the guards raised the flag to half-staff.

Peace Officers Memorial Day was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The week the holiday falls on is recognized as National Police Week, running through Saturday.

The proclamation for the day said it was “to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and to voice our appreciation for all those who currently serve on the front lines of the battle against crime.” 

The Santa Maria Police Department held a ceremony to honor fallen officers on Wednesday.