WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nine fallen North Carolina law enforcement officers were honored Wednesday as part of this year’s National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.

  • The gathering takes place annually as part of National Police Week
  • The list of officers killed recently in the line of duty had more than 200 names
  • Officers and loved ones from across the country traveled to the nation's capital for the event

Families and colleagues of those killed in the line of duty attended the service, which took place in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol dome. Trooper Samuel Bullard, who was killed in 2018 after a police chase ended in a crash, was among those honored. His supervisor, Sgt. Joshua Church, called him a “model trooper.”

“If every trooper I had work for me in the future was just like him, I’d never have any issues. He was meant to do that job,” Church said.

RELATED: Trooper Samuel Bullard laid to rest

The gathering, which takes place annually as part of National Police Week, included a roll call of all of the law enforcement officers killed recently in the line of duty nationwide. This year, that list was more than 200 names long.

“The courage and sacrifice of our heroes is the reason our flag stands tall and bravely, our hearts beat with pride,” said President Donald Trump, who served as the keynote speaker at the event.

Trooper Kevin Conner was also on this year’s roll call list. He was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in 2018. His wife Miranda attended the service with their kids and family.

“His smile, his compassion, the way that everybody knew him and loved him. If you met him once he was your best friend,” she said.

RELATED: NC State Trooper Shot, Killed in Columbus County; Suspect Arrested

Officers from across the country traveled to the nation's capital for the event. Many saluted while the names were read. Sgt. Church likened the police community to a “big family.”

“You go through the same training. You take the same oath. You uphold the same laws, and we’re always there to back each other up,” he said.

The full list of North Carorlina law enforcement officers honored during the service included: